Sabres Hall of Famer Joe Crozier passes away at 93

The Buffalo Sabres mourn the passing of former head coach and Sabres Hall of Famer Joe Crozier, who died Tuesday at the age of 93.
Crozier took over behind the Sabres bench after Punch Imlach had to step down due to health concerns in January 1972. Crozier made an immediate impact, putting Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin and Rene Robert together to form the French Connection, the greatest line in Sabres history.
He guided the Sabres to the franchise's first playoff appearance in 1972-73. In three seasons, he compiled a record of 77-80-35.

Crozier also served as an assistant coach during the 1984-85 season and worked as a team ambassador for many years after his coaching career ended.

Prior to joining the Sabres, Crozier played in the QHL, AHL and WHL. He dressed in five NHL games for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1959-60, recording three assists.
He then got into coaching and guided the Rochester Americans to three championship seasons in 1965, 1966 and 1968.
He also was the head coach for Vancouver when they won the WHL championship in 1969 and for Kitchener when they won the OHL title in 1982.
He was inducted into the Sabres Hall of Fame in 2010 and the AHL Hall of Fame in 2012.