I was a fan of The Bisons, and of the early Sabres teams. I started going to games in 1972. The "French Line", later coined The French Connection, had just been put together. Ramsay and Luce had just been put together, though Larry Mickey played on the RW at that time.
The team was further energized by two rookie defenseman; Jim Schoenfeld, and Larry Carriere. Schony revitalized a veteran defenseman named Tim Horton.
The first two games I attended were against The Atlanta Flames, and The New York Islanders. I felt a wholeness at The Aud I had never felt before in my 11 years. I was hooked; float line and sinker to The Sabres, and to The NHL.
My father had created a Monster he would later lament; as it obscured my destiny as the son of an English Immigrant to embrace soccer the way he had. I have had far more success in playing soccer than I ever did playing hockey, and that's okay, as I started playing competitive hockey too late. That wasn't my choice.
The passion for hockey is still there. This is why I feel a certain kinship for those who were there when this original passion began. Hell, my one son's name is Tim; wonder why..........
