| Name | Tarō Tsujimoto |
| Draft | Drafted by Buffalo Sabres in 1974 NHL Amateur Draft |
| Status | Fictional |
| Background | A prank by the Sabres' front office to expose flaws in the draft system, which the organization then embraced and built an elaborate backstory around |
| Played for | |
| Significance | Became a beloved cult figure in Buffalo hockey culture, representing the city's underdog spirit |
Tarō Tsujimoto is a legendary, if fictional, hockey player who was "drafted" by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft. While Tsujimoto never actually existed, the Sabres' embrace of the imaginary player made him an enduring part of the team's and the NHL's culture.
In the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft, the Sabres were scheduled to make their 11th round selection. However, when the time came, the team's general manager, Punch Imlach, simply announced that they had drafted "Tarō Tsujimoto, a center from the Tokyo Katanas." This fictional pick was Imlach's mischievous attempt to expose flaws in the NHL's draft system.
Predictably, the selection of Tsujimoto, a player who did not actually play professionally or even exist, was met with confusion and ridicule from other teams and the media. The NHL initially did not allow the pick, but Imlach persisted, claiming that Tsujimoto was a legitimate Japanese prospect. After several weeks of debate, the league relented and allowed the Sabres to retain Tsujimoto's "rights."
Rather than quietly drop the Tsujimoto ruse, the Sabres organization decided to fully embrace it. They began crafting an elaborate backstory and persona for the made-up player, complete with biographical details, statistics, and even highlight reels. Tsujimoto was described as a skilled two-way center with excellent vision and hockey sense, hailing from a prestigious Japanese hockey program.
The Sabres went so far as to create official-looking NHL player cards, news clippings, and other paraphernalia featuring Tsujimoto. They even included the fictional player in the team's media guides and official rosters for several seasons. To many fans' delight, the Sabres would occasionally mention Tsujimoto in interviews or broadcasts, maintaining the illusion that he was a real member of the team.
According to the Sabres' fictional accounts, Tarō Tsujimoto was drafted 183rd overall in 1974 and spent the next several years playing professionally in Japan's top league, the Japanese Ice Hockey League. He reportedly put up impressive numbers, leading the league in scoring one season and earning a reputation as an elite two-way forward.
In 1978, Tsujimoto was said to have signed an NHL contract and joined the Sabres, making his debut that season. Over the next five years, the imaginary player was credited with 47 goals and 89 assists in 286 regular season games, along with 10 playoff points. He was even selected to the NHL All-Star Game in 1981.
Despite his statistical accomplishments, Tsujimoto remained an enigmatic figure, rarely granting interviews and maintaining a low profile. Rumors persisted that he was homesick, struggled with the language barrier, or was simply a reclusive person. His "career" came to an abrupt end in 1983 when he was said to have returned to Japan for personal reasons, never to play in the NHL again.
While Tarō Tsujimoto never actually existed, he became a beloved cult figure in Buffalo sports culture. The Sabres' steadfast commitment to the ruse, even decades later, endeared the fictional player to many fans who embraced the quirkiness and underdog spirit he represented.
Tsujimoto merchandise, from jerseys to bobbleheads, remains popular among Sabres diehards. The team occasionally revives references to him, keeping the character alive in the minds of supporters. He has become something of a mascot-like symbol, representing the franchise's history of improbable moments and the city's scrappy, self-deprecating identity.
Beyond Buffalo, Tarō Tsujimoto's story has become a cautionary tale about the potential flaws in professional sports drafts and the willingness of organizations to exploit them. His "career" is frequently cited as an example of the absurdities that can arise from the arcane rules and procedures governing player selection. In that sense, the imaginary hockey player's legacy extends far beyond the city he "played" for.
