Sabres great Rick Martin dies in crash

Rick Martin, a member of the Buffalo Sabres' high-flying French Connection line in the 1970s, died after being involved in a one-car accident yesterday. He was 59.

New York State Police Capt. Steven Nigrelli said Martin was pronounced dead at a suburban Buffalo hospital at 1 p.m., about a half-hour after the car he was driving crossed the center line on the road, rolled along the shoulder and struck a utility pole before coming to rest against a tree.

Nigrelli said witnesses spotted Martin driving with his head slumped and eyes closed before the crash, which occurred in the Buffalo suburb of Clarence. Nigrelli said it appeared Martin had "an undetermined medical emergency" before the accident.

Two passers-by and a state trooper performed CPR on Martin, whose German shepherd dog was also in the vehicle and stood by, Nigrelli said. An autopsy will be conducted to determine cause of death.

"Rick was not only one of the greatest players in franchise history, he was a great friend to the Sabres organization and entire community," read a statement released by the team. "The thoughts and prayers of the entire Sabres organization go out to his wife, Mikey, and their two sons, Corey and Josh."

Prior to the Sabres' home game against Ottawa yesterday, the team honored Martin with a tribute on the center ice video scoreboard.

"We lost a heck of a guy today," said Sabres coach and former teammate of Martin's, Lindy Ruff. "It's tough when you lose anybody, and we lost a real good person today. It's a tough one to take."

Martin was selected fifth overall by the Sabres in the 1971 draft, and immediately made an impact the following season when he scored what was then an NHL rookie record 44 goals. From LaSalle, Quebec, Richard (Rick) Lionel Martin played left wing on a line centered by Gilbert Perreault with Rene Robert on right wing.

Martin finished with 384 goals and 317 assists for 701 points in 685 career NHL games. He added 24 goals and 29 assists for 53 points in 63 career playoff games. He twice surpassed the 50-goal plateau, when he had 52 in each of the 1973-74 and 1974-75 seasons. His most productive campaign was in 1974-75, when he had a career-high 95 points (52 goals, 43 assists) in 68 games, and faced the Flyers in the Stanley Cup final.

The French Connection line was most recently reunited prior to the Sabres home game against Atlanta last month. The three took the ice during a welcoming ceremony to greet Terry Pegula a day after he purchased the franchise.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

In the game, Tyler Ennis scored two goals and the Buffalo Sabres to a 6-4 victory over Ottawa.

In other games yesterday:

* At Washington, Mike Knuble scored with 1:09 left in overtime to give then Capitals their eighth straight victory, a 4-3 decision over the Chicago Blackhawks, moving one point behind the Flyers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

* At Pittsburgh, Chris Kunitz scored two goals, and the Penguins beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-1.

* At Dallas, Michal Handzus scored the tiebreaking goal with 20.8 seconds remaining and the Los Angeles Kings scored a 3-2 victory over the Stars.