Brad May

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

May's defining moment as a Sabre came in Game 4 of the 1993 Stanley Cup playoffs opening round against the Boston Bruins. With the teams tied at 5 and requiring overtime, May took a pass from a falling Pat LaFontaine at center ice, deked past Ray Bourque, then went on goal where he faked out Andy Moog, causing Moog to fall and leave an open space for May to score on a wrist shot. The goal not only won the game but secured Buffalo's upset of the second-best team in the NHL. The goal is immortalized by Rick Jeanneret's call: 'Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! Brad May! Wins it in overtime! Buffalo sweeps the Bruins!' May was later traded by the Sabres to the Vancouver Canucks for forward Geoff Sanderson on February 5, 1998.

In Their Own Story

The Memorial Auditorium crowd holds its breath as overtime begins in Game 4 of the 1993 playoffs. The Sabres are facing the second-best team in the NHL, the Boston Bruins, with a chance to sweep the series. Pat LaFontaine, falling at center ice, manages to get a pass to Brad May. May takes the puck, dekes past legendary defenseman Ray Bourque, and charges toward goal. He fakes a shot, causing goaltender Andy Moog to fall to the ice, leaving the net wide open. May fires a wrist shot into the empty cage. The building erupts as Rick Jeanneret's voice booms: 'Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! Brad May! Wins it in overtime! Buffalo sweeps the Bruins!' The goal remains one of the most iconic moments in Sabres history.

Reader's Guide

He was drafted by the Sabres 14th overall in the 1990 NHL entry draft. His most famous contribution came in the 1993 Stanley Cup playoffs, where his overtime goal against the Boston Bruins secured a series sweep. May was not a prolific scorer, but his clutch goal and physical play made him a memorable part of Sabres history. He later played for the Vancouver Canucks, Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks (winning the Stanley Cup in 2006–07), Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings. After retiring, he worked as an NHL analyst and competed on the tenth season of The Amazing Race Canada with his daughter Sam in 2024.

Did You Know?

• Brad May was drafted 14th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1990 NHL entry draft.
• His overtime goal in Game 4 of the 1993 playoffs against the Boston Bruins is known as the 'Mayday goal' due to Rick Jeanneret's call.
• May won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2006–07 season.
• He played his 1,000th career NHL game on April 8, 2009, against the Buffalo Sabres.
• In 2024, May competed on the tenth season of The Amazing Race Canada with his daughter Sam, finishing 8th out of 11 teams.