Gerry Meehan Dies at 79: Buffalo Sabres Legend Who Built a Dynasty

Gerry Meehan, the former Buffalo Sabres captain and general manager who shaped one of the most storied rosters in NHL history, died Friday at the age of 79. The Buffalo Sabres confirmed his passing on Saturday after being notified by a member of his family. A cause of death has not been disclosed.

Gerry Meehan Cause of Death

The Sabres announced Gerry Meehan's death on June 7, 2026, after learning of his passing from family. The team confirmed he died on Friday, June 6, 2026. The cause of death and the location where Meehan passed were not immediately made public by the organization.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman paid tribute to the Sabres legend in a league statement, describing Meehan as a "pillar of the franchise" whose contributions extended far beyond what appeared in any box score or transaction log.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Gerald "Gerry" Meehan was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fourth round, 21st overall, of the 1963 NHL Amateur Draft. His path to regular NHL play was not immediate — he did not make his league debut until the 1968-69 season, when he appeared for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Meehan's career took a defining turn in 1970, when he was selected by the expansion Buffalo Sabres in the NHL expansion draft. That selection would mark the beginning of a lifelong bond between Meehan and Western New York.

Playing Career With the Buffalo Sabres

In the Sabres' inaugural 1970-71 season, Meehan ranked third on the team in both goals and points. He also recorded the first assist in Buffalo Sabres history — a distinction that would define his legacy as a founding figure of the franchise.

The following season, Meehan was named the second captain in Sabres franchise history. He held the captaincy through October 1974, a period that included Buffalo's first-ever playoff appearance in 1972-73. During that breakout campaign, Meehan posted a career-best 31 goals.

Reflecting on his early years in Buffalo, Meehan once said: "The idea that an expansion team was coming — not only to Buffalo — but close to my home in Toronto, and to be selected by them and get a chance to play as an NHL regular, obviously made my career."

Across a 10-season NHL career spanning six franchises — Toronto, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Vancouver, Atlanta, and Washington — Meehan accumulated 180 goals and 243 assists for 423 career points in 680 regular season games. He also played two games for the Cincinnati Stingers of the World Hockey Association in 1978-79 before stepping away from professional play.

From Law School to the General Manager's Chair

After retirement, Meehan returned to Buffalo and enrolled at the University at Buffalo School of Law, earning his law degree before rejoining the Sabres organization. In 1984, he became the first former Sabres player to take a front office role when he joined as an aide under general manager Scotty Bowman.

Meehan was promoted to the position of general manager during the 1986-87 season, succeeding Bowman as Buffalo's fourth-ever GM. What followed was one of the most productive stretches of roster-building in league history.

Hall of Fame Acquisitions That Defined an Era

As general manager, Meehan assembled a roster headlined by four future Hall of Famers: Pat LaFontaine, Dale Hawerchuk, Dominik Hasek, and Alexander Mogilny. Each acquisition came with its own story — and in Mogilny's case, a degree of Cold War intrigue that still resonates today.

Meehan and Don Luce, the team's director of player development, traveled to Stockholm, Sweden in 1989 to assist Mogilny in defecting from the Soviet Union while evading KGB surveillance. The move was unprecedented and helped open the door for other Soviet players to enter the NHL in the years that followed.

His trade for Hasek stands among the most lopsided deals in hockey history. At the time, Hasek was a backup goaltender in Chicago. Meehan had seen him play an international game and came away convinced. "He was unconventional, he's athletic, he's wiry, and he stops the puck as much as possible of any human being as a goalie," Meehan said. Hasek went on to win six Vezina Trophies and two Hart Trophies during his time in Buffalo.

The LaFontaine trade in 1991 came with its own negotiating drama. The New York Islanders had reportedly targeted Mogilny in the deal. Meehan refused, insisting on sending Pierre Turgeon to New York instead. "I said, 'Well, that's why I'm trading for LaFontaine, to play with Mogilny. So, it's Turgeon or it's not going to happen,'" Meehan recalled. The trade paid off spectacularly — LaFontaine and Mogilny teamed up for one of the greatest offensive seasons in NHL history in 1992-93, combining for 224 points.

Tributes Pour In for Gerry Meehan

The Sabres organization announced the news on social media Saturday, calling on the entire Sabres community to share in mourning. "We are sad to announce the passing of former Sabres captain and general manager Gerry Meehan," the team wrote. "The thoughts of the entire Sabres community are with his friends and family."

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman praised Meehan's impact in a formal league statement, describing him as a pillar of the franchise whose influence touched generations of Sabres players and fans alike.

Perhaps the most poignant tribute came from Alexander Mogilny, who credited Meehan and Don Luce during his Hockey Hall of Fame induction in November 2025. "You were my guiding lights when I came into the NHL," Mogilny said during his speech.

Gerry Meehan's Legacy in Buffalo and in Hockey

Gerry Meehan remained with the Sabres' front office through the 1995-96 season. In retirement, he stayed connected to the organization through the Sabres Alumni Association, attending events and championing the franchise's history. In 2023, he was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame — a formal recognition of a legacy that fans had long since cemented in their hearts.

Few figures in NHL history managed to leave their mark at every level of the game. Meehan did. As a player, he was there at the very beginning — scoring the first assist in Sabres history, wearing the captain's C, and leading Buffalo to its debut playoff appearance. As an executive, he built the core of a team that captivated a city and planted Hall of Famers throughout a roster assembled largely through sharp judgment and courageous decision-making.

Gerry Meehan was a Toronto boy who adopted Buffalo as home and left it forever changed. He is survived by his wife, Mirella; their children Dan, Adam, and Kate; and grandchildren Christian, Alexander, Nathan, and Juniper.