WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Matt Ellis will be Rochester’s captain if he’s not with the Sabres. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have re-signed Matt Ellis to a two-year, two-way contract, the club announced this afternoon.
If he doesn’t crack the NHL, the hardworking forward is set to become the Rochester Americans’ captain again, a role he earned last season after getting sent to the AHL in February.
The respected 31-year-old, who joined the Sabres off waivers from Los Angeles in 2008, has 16 goals and 31 points in 267 NHL games.
Ellis ... Read the full article
Darcy Regier talks Sunday at the NHL Entry Draft. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For now at least, starting goalie Ryan Miller and slick winger Thomas Vanek, two veteran stars entering the final seasons of their contracts, are still members of the Sabres.
Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said Tuesday he has spoken to the players’ agents and both sides plan to continue chatting.
“As I’ve stated before, it’s incumbent upon me to have a sense of what the marketplace is or re-sign them versus allowing them ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller’s situation remains in the air. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For now at least, starting goalie Ryan Miller and slick winger Thomas Vanek, two veteran stars entering the final seasons of their contracts, are still members of the Sabres.
Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said this morning he has spoken to the players’ agents and both sides plan to continue chatting.
“As I’ve stated before, it’s incumbent upon me to have a sense of what the marketplace is or re-sign them versus allowing ... Read the full article
Cody McCormick just finished his first AHL stint since 2009-10. ©2013, Rochester Americans
ROCHESTER – In an instant, Cody McCormick vanished from the NHL.
On Feb. 20, the struggling Buffalo Sabres waived the gritty forward mid-practice, then immediately yanked him from the ice, a demeaning exit for a popular veteran who fought 26 times during his 139-game tenure.
McCormick then showered, left the First Niagara Center and went home. He reported to the Americans after clearing waivers the next day, his first AHL stint since 2009-10.... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons scored three times in three playoff games. ©2013, Dan Hickling Olean Times Herald
ROCHESTER – Interim Americans coach Chadd Cassidy called the AHL a “man’s league,” and, well, Zemgus Girgensons is still a kid, just 19 years old.
As a teenage rookie, Girgensons was supposed to play a supporting role during the Amerks’ first-round playoff series against the powerhouse Toronto Marlies. The Latvian winger scored only six goals in 61 regular-season games this year.
But Girgensons, a hard-hitting prospect the Buffalo Sabres moved up to select 14th... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko played about 90 games in three leagues this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
ROCHESTER – Nine months, three leagues and about 90 games later, Mikhail Grigorenko’s whirlwind season is over.
Each stop – the QMJHL, the NHL and finally the AHL – energized the 18-year-old Russian, who just joined the Americans for their first-round playoff series.
Still, after Wednesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Toronto Marlies eliminated the Amerks, the center acknowledged the long campaign had worn him out.
“A little bit I’m tired mentally,” Grigorenko said inside ... Read the full article
Matt Ellis was recently named Rochester’s captain. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Reminders of the Sabres’ recent roster overhaul are all over Matt Ellis’ Clarence neighborhood.
Each day, the hardworking forward drives by “For Sale” signs in front of the homes Jordan Leopold and Jason Pominville recently left. When Ellis picks up neighbor Cody McCormick, instead of going downtown, the teammates drive 75 miles down the thruway to Rochester, their new playing home.
“The only one left in our neighborhood is (Thomas Vanek),” Ellis, ... Read the full article
Chadd Cassidy took over as Rochester’s coach on Feb. 20. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Under normal circumstances, Chadd Cassidy’s transition to becoming the Rochester Americans’ bench boss would’ve been “a lot easier,” the interim coach said.
On Feb. 20, Cassidy, then Ron Rolston’s top assistant, was going through his regular routine inside the Blue Cross War Memorial, preparing for a game against the Texas Stars that night.
Hours later, Cassidy was the Amerks’ new coach.
In summoning Rolston to replace Lindy Ruff on an interim basis, ... Read the full article
Matt Ellis hasn’t played in the AHL since 2010-11. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Matt Ellis cleared waivers Monday and will report to the Rochester Americans, his first AHL stint since serving as the Portland Pirates’ captain in 2010-11.
The respected 31-year-old forward, a veteran of 267 NHL games, played six pointless contests with the Sabres this season and was scratched six times.
The Sabres waived him Sunday to make room for defenseman Robyn Regehr on the 23-man roster.
“He plays the game with a lot of ... Read the full article
Matt Ellis has extensive AHL experience. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Matt Ellis cleared waivers this afternoon, TSN reported.
The forward will report to the Rochester Americans, his first AHL stint since serving as the Portland Pirates’ captain in 2010-11.
The 31-year-old, a veteran of 267 NHL games, played six contests with the Sabres this season and was scratched six times.
The Sabres waived him Sunday to make room for defenseman Robyn Regehr on the 23-man roster.
Ellis has 81 goals and 188 points ... Read the full article