Rick Vaive
The former 50-goal scorer who notched two 35-goal seasons with Buffalo.
Rick Vaive is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1979 to 1992. He was traded from the Chicago Blackhawks to the Buffalo Sabres on December 26, 1987, in exchange for center Adam Creighton. He spent four seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, then retired as a member of the American Hockey League's Hamilton Canucks in 1993.
- Role
- Center / Left Wing
- Team
- Buffalo Sabres
- Era
- Late 1980s - Early 1990s
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Vaive's path to Buffalo began with a trade on December 26, 1987, when the Chicago Blackhawks sent him to the Sabres for center Adam Creighton. He had netted 12 goals in 30 games for Chicago in 1987–88 (his 43-goal season came with Toronto in 1985–86; he scored 32 goals in 1986–87) and later scored 35 goals in both 1988–89 and 1989–90. In Buffalo, he spent four seasons before retiring as a member of the American Hockey League's Hamilton Canucks in 1993. Vaive had earlier become the first player in Toronto Maple Leafs history to score 50 goals in a season, with 54 in 1981–82, a franchise record that stood for 40 years until broken by Auston Matthews in 2021–22.
In Their Own Story
Vaive's time in Buffalo came after a career that saw him play in the final season of the World Hockey Association (WHA) with the Birmingham Bulls, then for the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Chicago Blackhawks. While with the Maple Leafs, he served as captain from 1982 to 1986, was stripped of the captaincy during the 1985–86 season for missing a morning practice, and scored three 50-goal seasons on teams that lost over 40 games each time. He is the only skater with three 50-goal seasons on teams that failed to win 30 games. Vaive was invited to the Canada Cup team in 1984 but was cut in training camp.
Reader's Guide
Rick Vaive played four seasons with the Buffalo Sabres after being traded from Chicago on December 26, 1988. He had previously netted 43 goals in his first season in Chicago but never managed more than 31 in a season after that. After his playing career, Vaive became coach of the expansion South Carolina Stingrays of the East Coast Hockey League in 1993, leading them to division titles in 1995 and 1997 and a conference championship in 1997. In 1996–97 he became the first ECHL coach to win both the Brabham Cup and Kelly Cup in the same season. He later coached the Saint John Flames of the AHL for two seasons and the Mississauga Ice Dogs of the Ontario Hockey League in 2000-01, guiding the team to the worst record in the league and tying the 1995-96 London Knights for fewest wins in a season. He was fired and replaced by Don Cherry.
Did You Know?
- Vaive was traded to the Buffalo Sabres on December 26, 1987, in exchange for center Adam Creighton.
- He spent four seasons with the Buffalo Sabres before retiring as a member of the American Hockey League's Hamilton Canucks in 1993.
- Vaive became the first player in Toronto Maple Leafs history to score 50 goals in a season, with 54 in 1981–82.
- Vaive was stripped of the Maple Leafs captaincy during the 1985–86 season for missing a morning practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rick Vaive?
Rick Vaive was a Canadian professional ice hockey player known for his scoring ability, particularly during his time with the Buffalo Sabres in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He played as a left wing or center in the NHL from 1979 until his retirement in the mid-1990s.
When did Rick Vaive join the Buffalo Sabres?
Vaive was acquired by the Sabres on December 26, 1988, in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks that sent center Adam Creighton to Chicago. He spent four seasons playing for Buffalo before finishing his career.
What role did Rick Vaive play for the Sabres?
He served primarily as a left wing or center, bringing significant offensive firepower to the team's lineup during his tenure. His presence was highlighted by his history as a 50-goal scorer earlier in his career with Chicago.
How did Rick Vaive's NHL career end?
After four seasons in Buffalo, Vaive concluded his professional journey by playing for the American Hockey League's Hamilton Canucks before officially retiring in 1993. His final years were spent transitioning out of the National Hockey League.
Why is Rick Vaive important to Sabres history?
He is remembered as a legendary scorer who revitalized the team's offense during a critical era following his trade from Chicago. Fans recall him fondly for his goal-scoring prowess and his contribution to the franchise in the late 80s.
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