Bob Sauvé

Robert F. Sauvé
Robert F. Sauvé
Born	June 17, 1955 (age 71); Sainte-Geneviève, Quebec, Canada
Occupation(s)	Ice hockey goaltender (retired), player agent
Known for	NHL goaltender, Vezina Trophy winner, William M. Jennings Trophy winner

Robert F. Sauvé (born June 17, 1955) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who has transitioned into a career as a player agent.

Early life

Born in Sainte-Geneviève, Quebec, Sauvé participated in youth hockey and competed in the 1967 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament representing a North Shore minor hockey team.

Career

Following an impressive tenure in junior hockey with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Laval National, Sauvé was selected 17th overall by the NHL's Buffalo Sabres during the 1975 NHL Entry Draft. Simultaneously, the World Hockey Association's Cincinnati Stingers picked him 16th overall; however, Sauvé chose to pursue a career in the NHL. Notably, the Sabres drafted three goaltenders in 1975, including Sauvé and Don Edwards. During the 1976–77 season, he appeared in four NHL games, spending most of his time with the AHL's Rhode Island Reds. The following season, 1977–78, he divided his playing time between Buffalo and the Hershey Bears.

In the 1978–79 campaign, after recuperating from a broken finger, Sauvé earned a permanent position in the NHL following an injury to Edwards. The goaltending duo of Sauvé and Edwards played a crucial role in elevating Buffalo’s performance. In 1979–80, Sauvé led the league in goals against average and shared the Vezina Trophy with Edwards.

Sauvé was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in December 1981 but returned to Buffalo as a free agent in June 1982 after Edwards was traded away. During the 1983–84 season, he partnered with rising star Tom Barrasso, and together they secured the William M. Jennings Trophy in 1984–85 for allowing the fewest goals. Buffalo later traded Sauvé to the Chicago Blackhawks for a third-round pick in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft. After two seasons with Chicago, he signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Devils in July 1987. Persistent back problems ultimately led to his retirement in 1989.

Following his playing career, Sauvé stayed involved in hockey as president of the Devils' alumni association, served as a goaltending coach, and became a player agent. Among his clients have been prominent NHL players such as Patrick Roy, Vincent Lecavalier, Jocelyn Thibault, Pierre Turgeon, Vincent Damphousse, and Simon Gagné.

Personal life

Sauvé’s younger brother, forward Jean-François Sauvé, also competed in the NHL and briefly played alongside him in Buffalo. His son, Philippe Sauvé, pursued a professional goaltending career both in the NHL and Europe with teams including the Hamburg Freezers. Additionally, his nephew Maxime Sauvé played as an NHL forward.

Awards and achievements

Named to the QMJHL First All-Star Team in 1974.
Recipient of the Vezina Trophy in 1980, shared with Don Edwards.
Winner of the William M. Jennings Trophy during the 1985 season alongside Tom Barasso.

Career statistics

... [statistics continue similarly, omitted for brevity] ...

			Regular season									Playoffs
Season	Team	League	GP	W	L	T	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%	GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
1971–72	Verdun Maple Leafs	QMJHL	34	—	—	—	2020	202	0	6.00	.851	2	0	2	120	12	0	6.00	.836
1972–73	Laval National	QMJHL	35	—	—	—	2100	224	0	6.40	.850	3	—	—	160	20	0	7.50	.856
1973–74	Laval National	QMJHL	61	—	—	—	3620	341	0	5.65	.867	11	—	—	660	60	0	5.45	.869
1974–75	Laval National	QMJHL	57	—	—	—	3403	287	0	5.06	.876	16	—	—	960	81	0	5.06	.872
NHL totals			420	182	154	54	23,706	1377	8	3.49	.875	34	15	16	1848	95	4	3.08	.891

External links