Appert - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres prospect Brandon Biro quietly becoming elite AHL talent with Amerks

ROCHESTER – Last month, Buffalo Sabres prospect Brandon Biro approached Americans coach Seth Appert with a simple question: am I still playing well?

Biro, 25, had been on a tear nearly all season, scoring at more than a point per game clip. In December, he had six consecutive two-point outings and 16 points in 10 contests.

Then, suddenly, the center hit an offensive rut when the calendar turned to 2023. He endured a seven-game point ... Read the full article

After assignment to Rochester, Sabres’ Vinnie Hinostroza happy to be back

BUFFALO – After clearing waivers and reporting for his first stint in the minors in more than five years, a much-needed opportunity quickly materialized for Sabres winger Vinnie Hinostroza.

Of course, under normal circumstances, Hinostroza, 28, wouldn’t have been assigned to the Rochester Americans.

“Vinnie went to Rochester on circumstance, not on play,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said Sunday. “… He’s an NHL hockey player.”

But for about a month, Hinostroza, who signed ... Read the full article

Trade to Sabres organization special for Youngstown’s Joseph Cecconi, family

ROCHESTER – Right away, Joseph Cecconi called his grandfather, Joe, to share the special news.

Throughout his grandson’s junior and college career, the elder Cecconi traveled to nearly every one of his home games. He estimates he racked up about 30,000 miles a year driving from his Youngstown home to Muskegon and Ann Arbor.

Then Joseph Cecconi turned pro in 2019 and reported to the Texas Stars, Dallas’ AHL affiliate, and the trips ended. ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich displaying growth with Amerks; Vinnie Hinostroza playing big minutes in Rochester

ROCHESTER – The silver medal Buffalo Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich recently earned at the World Junior Championship hasn’t changed his life much.

Of course, Kulich, 18, is proud to have scored the overtime goal against Sweden to send Czechia to its first gold medal game since 2001. But following what he called an “unbelievable” experience, he simply resumed his rookie season with the Americans.

If he had returned home earlier this month, he might’ve been ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Lukas Rousek earns spot in AHL All-Star Classic

ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres prospect Lukas Rousek has been named as a replacement for injured teammate Brandon Biro on the North Division team for the upcoming AHL All-Star Classic.

Biro, a center who has a team-high 29 points, is week to week after suffering an upper-body injury, Amerks coach Seth Appert said.... Read the full article

Sabres prospects Jiri Kulich, Isak Rosen turning heads at World Juniors

Before Buffalo Sabres prospects Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen left Rochester to join their respective countries at the World Junior Championship, Americans coach Seth Appert challenged the youngsters to rely on more than their skill during the tournament.

He said the AHL rookies have evolved over the past three months, displaying a willingness to play on the inside and attack the net. Without the puck, they’ve learned how to forecheck and about the physicality needed ... Read the full article

Despite scoring twice, Sabres prospect Filip Cederqvist costs Amerks win

ROCHESTER – In scoring his first two goals for the Americans, rookie Filip Cederqvist showcased why he has developed into one of the Buffalo Sabres’ most intriguing forward prospects.

Early in the second period of Friday’s 6-5 overtime loss, Cederqvist, 22, grabbed Isak Rosen’s pass beside the net on the power play and quickly stuffed the puck past Cleveland Monsters goalie Daniil Tarasov.

The 6-foot-3, 196-pound Cederqvist scored another power-play goal midway through the period, ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Lukas Rousek scores highlight-reel goal for Amerks

ROCHESTER – In the opening weeks of his first full AHL season, Americans winger Lukas Rousek has further cemented his status as one of the Sabres’ best forward prospects.

Through the first nine games, Rousek, 23, has registered three goals and nine points, the Amerks’ third-highest total. With veteran forwards Sean Malone and Michael Mersch injured, the Czech’s contributions have been critical the team’s 6-3-0-0 start.

Rousek tied Friday’s game against the Utica Comets 3:19 ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Matej Pekar close to playing, ready to be pest for Amerks

By late last winter, Buffalo Sabres prospect Matej Pekar had lost confidence his ailing shoulders could hold up for the final stretch of the grueling AHL season.

Pekar, an ultra-aggressive agitator, thrives on contact. But his shoulders had become so wonky he said each one would often come out of its socket.

“Playing through it at the end, it wasn’t great, I would say,” he told the Times Herald on Wednesday. “It was just ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Aleksandr Kisakov acclimating to AHL with Amerks

So far, Buffalo Sabres prospect Aleksandr Kisakov hasn’t been rewarded on the score sheet. Through his first five AHL games, the Russian winger has registered zero points despite pumping 10 shots on goal, the Rochester Americans’ fourth-highest total.

As the undersized rookie’s shot tally illustrates, he has been creating offense as he tries to make the difficult adjustment to North American hockey and a new culture at just 19.

“He’s been extremely effective for a ... Read the full article