 The French Connection was a line of professional ice hockey forwards who played together for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League from 1972 until 1979 . The line consisted of Hall of Famer Gilbert Perreault at centre and All @-@ Stars Rick Martin and Rene Robert at left wing and right wing , respectively . All three players were French @-@ Canadian ; Perreault is from Victoriaville , Quebec , Martin was from Verdun , Quebec , and Robert is from Trois @-@ Rivières , Quebec . The name was related both to the origins of the players and the 1971 hit movie entitled The French Connection , based upon the book of the same name . 
