WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Scott Wedgewood quietly enjoyed a terrific season in Rochester. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
On a Rochester Americans team loaded with scorers and high-end AHL talent, goalie Scott Wedgewood’s exploits often got overshadowed.
But for much of the 2018-19 campaign, Wedgewood was the Amerks’ backbone, tending some of the league’s best goal.
After Christmas, Wedgewood won 16 of his first 21 appearances. Overall, he enjoyed a career season, compiling 28 victories and five shutouts in 48 games.
Still, it was evident Wedgewood, 26, would be moving on. The seven-year ... Read the full article
Sean Malone played only 38 games last season. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Center Sean Malone’s 2018-19 season started ominously. After some impressive performances early in his second NHL training camp, the West Seneca native injured his knee in the Sabres’ preseason opener.
So instead of competing for a spot on the big club, Malone, 24, didn’t play his first game until Nov. 7 with the Rochester Americans.
Injuries limited Malone to only 38 appearances during a frustrating campaign. The Harvard product never seemed to ... Read the full article
Sean Malone endured a tough season. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – The Rochester Americans have signed West Seneca’s Sean Malone, who wasn’t given a qualifying offer by the parent Sabres, to a one-year AHL contract, the team announced today.
Injuries limited Malone, 24, to only 38 games during a frustrating 2018-19 campaign. The center hurt his knee in the Sabres’ preseason opener and never seemed to find a groove.
In two seasons with the Amerks, Malone has compiled 16 goals, 35 points and ... Read the full article
Kurt Gosselin has earned regular duty since arriving. ©2019, Hickling Images
ROCHESTER – The Americans’ defense corps goes 11 deep, meaning coach Chris Taylor has plenty of options at his disposal.
So among his five defense scratches for Sunday afternoon’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Toronto Marlies were NHL veteran Nathan Paetsch, a two-time Calder Cup champion; prospect Jack Dougherty, who compiled a plus-15 rating this season; and prospect Brandon Hickey, who earned a coveted spot on Team Canada’s 2016 World Junior Championship squad.
Meanwhile, rookie ... Read the full article
Jack Dougherty was a second-round pick by Nashville. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Winger Nick Baptiste’s career in the Sabres organization is over.
The Sabres traded Baptiste, 23, to the Nashville Predators tonight in exchange for defenseman Jack Dougherty.
Given the Sabres waived Baptiste and assigned him to the Rochester Americans after he cleared waivers Sunday, a deal wasn’t surprising.... Read the full article