Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams has officially announced that the organization will hold a special memorial ceremony to honor the life and legacy of Scotty Bowman, the Hall of Fame coach who passed away on April 1, 2025, at the age of 91
Remembering a Hockey Icon
Scotty Bowman was one of the most decorated coaches in NHL history, with a record-setting 1,244 regular-season wins, 223 playoff wins, and nine Stanley Cup championships as a head coach—five with Montreal, one with Pittsburgh, and three with Detroit He led the Buffalo Sabres between 1979 and 1986, serving both as coach and general manager at times. His death on April 1, 2025, following a brief illness, was confirmed by his family
A Tribute in Buffalo
Adams, who played youth hockey in the Buffalo area and became Sabres GM in 2020 place at KeyBank Center on July 15, 2025. The event, free to the public, will begin at 2 P.M. and feature:
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A moment of silence and ceremonial puck drop,
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Tributes from former Sabres players and NHL personalities,
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A video montage highlighting Bowman’s time with the team.
“I want to make sure our community—where he spent a major part of his career—can pay their respects,” Adams said. “He meant so much to Buffalo hockey.” Adams also noted that players and coaches from Bowman’s later teams with Montreal, Pittsburgh, and Detroit have been invited, underscoring the breadth of his impact.
Why July 15?
The date was chosen to coincide with the off-season and the annual high school hockey showcase held at KeyBank Center. Fans will also have the chance to view Bowman’s Stanley Cup trophies and artifacts in a special exhibit in the arena’s concourse.
Collective Tributes
Tributes to Bowman have poured in from across the hockey world:
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Detroit Red Wings will wear a commemorative “#87 Bowman” patch next season
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The NHL will observe a league-wide moment of silence during a week of regular-season games
Legacy Beyond Buffalo
Though Bowman is best remembered in Buffalo for supreme strategic skill and leadership, his legacy spans the NHL. He captured three Cups with Detroit (1997, 1998, 2002), one with Pittsburgh (1992), and five in Montreal—helping firmly entrench his status as the greatest coach in league history
Adams Calls for Unity
In his announcement, Adams emphasized that Bowman was “the gold standard of coaching.” He urged Sabres fans and former teammates to come together not just to mourn but to celebrate a man who shaped hockey in Buffalo and beyond.
What’s Next
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When & Where: July 15, 2025 — 2 P.M., KeyBank Center
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What to Expect: Public ceremony, tributes, video highlights, memorabilia exhibit
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Who’s Invited: All fans, community members, former players, and coaches
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Watch For: Photo ops and historic Bowman artifacts on display
This memorial stands to be a poignant moment for Buffalo hockey—bringing the Sabres community and the NHL at large together to honor a legend who helped define the game.
