Realgeorge
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- Nov 2, 2004
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Even owners and GMs grow weary of the NWO system
From an NHL website: "Fun Fact: Back in 1974, the Buffalo Sabres drafted a player who did not exist. The ruse was instigated by former Sabres public relations man Paul Weiland and general manager Punch Imlach, who were bored with the tedious process of the draft and looking for a way to liven up the event.
Weiland created fake stats for a player named Taro Tsujimoto of the Tokyo Katanas in the Japanese League. When the time came for Buffalo to make its next-to-last choice (183rd overall), Imlach announced Tsujimoto as the Sabres' pick. With Weiland's fake stats circulating in the room, some believed that Buffalo general manager Punch Imlach and his scouting staff had uncovered a real gem. Major media outlets - including The Hockey News - dutifully reported the pick.
Weeks later, Imlach owned up to his hijinks. He admitted that he found Tsujimoto's name in a Buffalo phone book and that "Katanas" was the Japanese translation for Sabres.
For years, the NHL listed the name of the player in its draft records. It has since replaced the name with "ineligible claim." The Sabres' media guide still lists Tsujimoto as the pick."
From an NHL website: "Fun Fact: Back in 1974, the Buffalo Sabres drafted a player who did not exist. The ruse was instigated by former Sabres public relations man Paul Weiland and general manager Punch Imlach, who were bored with the tedious process of the draft and looking for a way to liven up the event.
Weiland created fake stats for a player named Taro Tsujimoto of the Tokyo Katanas in the Japanese League. When the time came for Buffalo to make its next-to-last choice (183rd overall), Imlach announced Tsujimoto as the Sabres' pick. With Weiland's fake stats circulating in the room, some believed that Buffalo general manager Punch Imlach and his scouting staff had uncovered a real gem. Major media outlets - including The Hockey News - dutifully reported the pick.
Weeks later, Imlach owned up to his hijinks. He admitted that he found Tsujimoto's name in a Buffalo phone book and that "Katanas" was the Japanese translation for Sabres.
For years, the NHL listed the name of the player in its draft records. It has since replaced the name with "ineligible claim." The Sabres' media guide still lists Tsujimoto as the pick."