WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Vinnie Hinostroza played sparingly last season. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres have enjoyed remarkable roster stability this offseason. Right now, every regular from last year’s team is still with them.
If the Sabres keep winger Victor Olofsson – Jack Quinn’s Achilles injury makes a trade seem less likely – every healthy player who played at least 50 games in 2022-23 could be on their opening night roster Oct. 12.
Still, some players have left. So far this summer, three who spent time in ... Read the full article
Coach Seth Appert shakes hands with Toronto assistant coach coach John Snowden on May 17 following Rochester’s series-clinching win. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Instead of getting into a deep discussion of Xs and Os with job candidates or having them diagram plays, Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert prefers to conduct more personal interviews.
“I’m a people-oriented, relationship-oriented person,” the loquacious Appert said Sunday following the first session of Sabres development camp at LECOM Harborcenter.
Appert, whose two assistant coaches, Michael Peca and Mike Weber, both recently left for NHL jobs, said he wants to talk to ... Read the full article
Dustin Tokarski played 42 games for Buffalo over two seasons. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres added depth in free agency this afternoon, signing two goalies – old friend Dustin Tokarski and Devin Cooley – and forward Justin Richards to one-year contracts.
All the players inked two-way deals worth $775,000 in the NHL.
Tokarski, 33, played 42 games for the Sabres over two seasons before signing with the Pittsburgh Penguins last year.
Right now, the Sabres have goalies Eric Comrie, Devon Levi and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen under one-way contracts, ... Read the full article
Hershey’s Riley Sutter shakes hands with Malcolm Subban following Friday’s 1-0 win over the Americans. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
ROCHESTER – The reality Seth Appert would never coach this group of Americans again hit him hard in the moments after Friday’s season-ending 1-0 loss to the Hershey Bears.
This group, Appert said, took time to find its way. In late February, the Amerks were mired in sixth place. In the beginning of the season, they lost their starting goalie and two established talents expected to be big contributors.
“Success and this high a level ... Read the full article
Rochester’s Jiri Kulich celebrates his first-period goal Wednesday with Linus Weissbach (13), Filip Cederqvist (71) and Joseph Cecconi (3). ©2023, Tori Hartman, Hershey Bears
In losing three straight games and moving to the brink of elimination from the Calder Cup Playoffs, the Rochester Americans suddenly had trouble scoring goals.
After scoring 41 times during a rollicking seven-game winning streak, they mustered just four goals against the Hershey Bears’ stifling defense.
Rookies Jiri Kulich and Lukas Rousek and captain Michael Mersch, three of the Amerks’ top forwards, combined for zero goals during that rough stretch.... Read the full article
Rochester’s Linus Weissbach zooms to the net and beats Hershey goalie Hunter Shepard early in Monday’s game. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
ROCHESTER – Having stared down elimination three times earlier in the Calder Cup Playoffs, it might be premature to write off the Americans.
When they faced a win-or-go-home scenario in the AHL North Division semifinals, they responded by rattling off seven straight wins.
They’ve thrived under adversity. So perhaps they can rebound from Monday’s emotional 4-2 loss to the Hershey Bears in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Still, following their third-period implosion, it’s ... Read the full article
Rochester’s Sean Malone battles for position Saturday between Hershey’s Logan Day and goalie Hunter Shepard. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
ROCHESTER – After the Americans opened the AHL Eastern Conference finals by scoring another five goals, it felt like their offense might overwhelm another opponent.
In winning two Calder Cup Playoffs series, the Amerks averaged six goals a game in their six victories. They seemed to be picking up where they left off.
But in Games 2 and 3 against the Hershey Bears, the Amerks have been forced to play what coach Seth Appert called ... Read the full article
Youngstown native Joseph Cecconi skates to the bench after scoring for Rochester 14 seconds into Tuesday’s game. ©2023, Tori Hartman, Hershey Bears
Seven straight victories in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Forty-one goals scored during that torrid stretch.
In Tuesday’s AHL Eastern Conference final opener, the Rochester Americans stayed red hot, pouncing on the Hershey Bears early and cruising to a 5-1 win at Giant Center.
Defenseman Joseph Cecconi, a Youngstown native, scored 14 seconds into the contest before winger Brett Murray made it 2-0 at 9:04.... Read the full article
Jiri Kulich celebrates his first-period power-play goal Saturday. ©2023, Toronto Marlies
TORONTO – In his first taste of the Calder Cup Playoffs, Buffalo Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich has quickly morphed into the Rochester Americans’ offensive catalyst, scoring in each of his five games.
It’s no coincidence the Amerks, after Saturday afternoon’s 7-4 win over the Toronto Marlies in Game 2 of the AHL North Division final, are 5-0 with the rookie center in the lineup.
At just 19, Kulich is one game shy of tying the ... Read the full article
(From left) Michael Mersch, Ethan Prow, Lawrence Pilut, Brett Murray and Sean Malone celebrate Rochester’s second goal Thursday. ©2023, Toronto Marlies
TORONTO – Brett Murray won a puck battle along the wall, knocking Pontus Holmberg down and igniting a scoring chance for the Rochester Americans. A few seconds later, the winger parked his hulking 6-foot-5, 228-pound frame in front of Marlies goalie Erik Kallgren, providing a perfect screen for defenseman Ethan Prow’s point shot.
Murray redirected the puck past Kallgren 18:16 into Thursday’s first period, putting the Amerks up 2-1 in a game they would win ... Read the full article
