WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Kyle Okposo missed Friday’s practice. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – During the summer, captain Kyle Okposo told the Sabres a special opportunity had materialized for him to speak at the Global Africa Business Initiative’s “Unstoppable Africa” conference in New York.
The event organized by the United Nations Global Compact was being held Friday, so Okposo needed to be excused from the second day of training camp. The Sabres, of course, had no problem letting him go.
“Everybody recognized the opportunity,” Okposo said following ... Read the full article
Joseph Ceconni joined Rochester in December. ©2023, Rochester Americans
The Buffalo Sabres on Friday re-signed defenseman Joseph Cecconi, a Youngstown native, to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 in the NHL.
Cecconi, 26, became a mainstay on the Rochester Americans’ blue line following his arrival in a trade Dec. 15, giving them a more defensive defender to complement some of their offensive threats.
In the regular season, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Cecconi registered three goals and eight points in 41 games. In the ... 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
Joseph Cecconi spent three years in Texas before joining Rochester. ©2023, Rochester Americans
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
Jiri Kulich recently returned to Rochester after representing Czechia at the World Junior Championship. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
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
Casey Fitzgerald played 59 games for Buffalo. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Given the depth the Sabres have built up over the last year, losing someone on waivers seemed inevitable. Sure enough, on Wednesday, the Florida Panthers nabbed defenseman Casey Fitzgerald off the wire.
As a 25-year-old right-shot defenseman, the chances of Fitzgerald clearing seemed low.
On Tuesday, the Sabres waived Fitzgerald to create a roster spot for defenseman Henri Jokiharju.... Read the full article
Jiri Kulich (left) and Isak Rosen recently left Rochester to play in the World Junior Championship. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
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
Joseph Cecconi (34) turned pro in 2019. ©2022, Mollie Kendall, Texas Stars
The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday swapped AHL defense prospects with the Dallas Stars, trading Oskari Laaksonen in exchange for Youngstown native Joseph Cecconi.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Cecconi, 25, played four seasons at Michigan and captained the Wolverines as a senior. He has compiled four goals, 33 points and 106 penalty minutes in 176 games over four seasons with the Texas Stars.
Cecconi, a right-shot defenseman like Laaksonen, has registered two assists and 10 penalty ... Read the full article
Sean Malone enjoyed a terrific offensive season in Rochester. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday rewarded Sean Malone for his breakout year with the Rochester Americans, re-signing the center to a one-year, $750,000 contract.
Malone, 27, seized an opportunity to play an offensive role, setting new career highs last season by registering 20 goals, eight power-play tallies and 37 points in just 39 games for the Sabres’ AHL affiliate. He added two goals and seven points during the Amerks’ 10-game playoff run.
Early in ... Read the full article
