Bob Sauvé facts for kids

Robert F. Sauvé (born June 17, 1955) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He is also known for being a player agent after his playing career.

Early Life and Early Hockey

Bob Sauvé was born in Sainte-Geneviève, Quebec, Canada. When he was young, he loved playing hockey. He even played in the 1967 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. This is a famous tournament for young hockey players from all over the world.

Bob Sauvé's Hockey Career

Bob Sauvé had a great junior hockey career with the Laval National team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Because he was so good, two major hockey leagues wanted him!

Joining the NHL

In 1975, the NHL's Buffalo Sabres picked him in the first round of their draft. This meant they wanted him to play for their team. Another league, the World Hockey Association, also picked him, but Bob really wanted to play in the NHL.

The Sabres picked three goalies that year, and Bob Sauvé and Don Edwards were the most famous ones. Bob played a few games for the Sabres in the 1976–77 season. But he spent most of that year playing for a team called the Providence Reds in the AHL. The next season, he split his time between the Hershey Bears (AHL) and being a backup goalie for the Sabres.

Becoming a Star Goalie

By the 1978–79 season, Bob was determined to stay in the NHL for good. He faced a challenge when he broke a finger, but he was called up to the Sabres when Don Edwards got hurt. From then on, Bob stayed with the Sabres.

Bob and Don Edwards became a fantastic goalie team for the Sabres. In the 1979–80 season, Bob led the entire league in goals against average. This means he let in the fewest goals per game. He also shared the Vezina Trophy with Don Edwards that same season. The Vezina Trophy is given to the best goalie in the NHL!

Moving Teams and More Awards

Bob Sauvé was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in December 1981. But he came back to the Sabres in June 1982. This happened after Don Edwards was traded to another team.

In the 1983–84 season, a talented young goalie named Tom Barrasso joined Bob in net for the Sabres. Together, they won the William M. Jennings Trophy in 1984–85. This award is given to the goalies on the team that allows the fewest goals in the regular season.

After his time with the Sabres, Bob was traded to the Chicago Black Hawks. He played there for two seasons. Then, he signed with the New Jersey Devils in 1987. After two seasons with the Devils, Bob Sauvé decided to retire from the NHL in 1989. He had some ongoing back problems that made it hard to keep playing.

Life After Playing Hockey

Even after retiring from playing, Bob Sauvé stayed involved in hockey. He was the president of the New Jersey Devils' alumni association. He also worked as a goalie coach. Later, he became a player agent. This means he helps hockey players with their careers and contracts.

He has worked with many famous hockey players. Some of his clients include Patrick Roy, Vincent Lecavalier, Jocelyn Thibault, Pierre Turgeon, Vincent Damphousse, and Simon Gagné.

Bob Sauvé's Family in Hockey

Hockey runs in Bob Sauvé's family!

• His younger brother, Jean-François Sauvé, also played in the NHL. For a short time, they were even teammates in Buffalo.
• His son, Philippe Sauvé, was also a professional goalie. He played in the NHL and in Europe.
• His nephew, Maxime Sauvé, was an NHL hockey forward.

Awards and Achievements

• Selected to the QMJHL First All-Star Team in 1974.
• Vezina Trophy winner in 1980 (shared with Don Edwards).
• William M. Jennings Trophy winner in 1985 (shared with Tom Barasso).