Former Sabres captain, GM Gerry Meehan dead at 79

Former Buffalo Sabres winger and general manager Gerry Meehan has died at the age of 79.

The Sabres announced Meehan's death on their website and social media channels Saturday.

Meehan, from Toronto, was a member of the inaugural Sabres in 1970 and recorded the team's first assist. He was also the team's second captain and played 10 NHL seasons with Buffalo, Vancouver, Atlanta and Washington.

Meehan served as Buffalo's GM from 1986 to 1993.

Meehan and director of player development Don Luce helped Alexander Mogilny become the first player from the former Soviet Union to defect to North America, which opened the door for other Soviet players to follow suit.

Meehan is survived by his wife, three children and four grandchildren.

Hockey Night in Canada podcast: Gerry Meehan on helping Alexander Mogilny defect from the Soviet Union