WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
September Edition
Buffalo goalie Devon Levi watches the puck as teammate Erik Johnson (6) battles the Rangers’ Chris Kreider. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – A 2-0 deficit early in the first period. Just nine shots on goal more than halfway through the game.
At times, Thursday’s highly anticipated season opener felt like a throwback to the Sabres’ dreary days of the not-so-distant past.
They got going a bit as the game progressed, scoring late in the second period and making things interesting against the New York Rangers. Still, it was too little, too late, and they fell ... Read the full article
Rick Jeanneret called games for 51 years. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres will be wearing special “RJ” patches on their jersey this season to honor legendary broadcaster Rick Jeanneret, the team announced Wednesday.
Jeanneret, who called games for 51 years before retiring in 2022, died Aug. 17 at 81.
In addition, the Sabres and Buffalo Common Council will be dedicating a trailblazing sign to Jeanneret at 4 p.m. outside Alumni Plaza prior to tonight’s season opener against the New York Rangers at ... Read the full article
Isak Rosen played 80 total games for Rochester as a rookie last season. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Isak Rosen said he needed to experience a season like last year, his first in North America. The Sabres prospect showcased durability, playing a whopping 99 total games over a dizzying 10-month stretch.
A year earlier in his native Sweden, he suffered a season-ending hand injury, and he played just 39 times. Staying healthy in 2022-23 allowed him to display consistent development throughout a campaign in which he played in two World Junior ... Read the full article
Rebecca Way and Josh Edwards left handwritten notes at Rick Jeanneret’s memorial. ©2023
BUFFALO – No one, Rebecca Way said, believes her story of Sabres fandom.
Growing up in Pittsburgh, she rooted for the Penguins. When they lost in the playoffs in 2007, she said she “bandwagoned” for the Sabres. She quickly fell in love with them, in part, through legendary play-by-play man’s Rick Jeanneret’s colorful broadcasting.
Way said Jeanneret, who died August 17 of multi-organ failure at 81, “made me feel like I was a part ... Read the full article
Sabres alumni and broadcasters will be honoring Rick Jeanneret on Sunday. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres will be honoring legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret’s life Sunday at KeyBank Center with a roundtable discussion featuring broadcasters and alumni.
Jeanneret, who died Thursday of multi-organ failure at 81, called Sabres games for 51 years before retiring in 2022.
General admission tickets for “Remembering RJ: The Man Behind the Mic” are free and available to the public through Ticketmaster.
The event starts at 5 p.m. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. ... Read the full article
Rick Jeanneret spent 51 years calling games for Buffalo. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
Jason Pominville considers himself lucky. The popular former Sabres captain arrived in Buffalo in his early 20s hoping he would hear legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret call his name for scoring a goal.
Well, before his rookie season ended in 2005-06, he scored the scintillating overtime goal that propelled the Sabres to a playoff upset against the Ottawa Senators. Just months into his career, he was a part of one of Jeanneret’s signature calls.
“I ... Read the full article
Alumni and members of Buffalo’s brass watch as Rick Jeanneret speaks at his banner-raising ceremony April 1, 2022. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
In the moments after the Buffalo Sabres’ nightlong celebration of legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret ended in 2022, coach Don Granato did something out of character.
“RJ Night” had been perfect, as the Sabres rode the wave energy from an emotional pregame banner-raising ceremony to a thrilling victory before a raucous crowd.
As the special evening ended, Granato was prodded to put on a turtleneck and suspenders – a tribute to Jeanneret’s style – for ... Read the full article
Rick Jeanneret called Sabres games for 51 seasons. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
Legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret, one of the most iconic figures in Buffalo Sabres history, died Thursday evening, the team announced. He was 81.
Jeanneret died following a two-year battle with multi-organ failures, according to his family.
He retired following the 2021-22 season, his record 51st year on the job. He spent last season as a broadcaster emeritus making appearances on behalf of the team and was often seen around KeyBank Center.
The Sabres gave ... Read the full article
Victor Olofsson scored 20 goals last season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – As Victor Olofsson’s goal drought dragged on last season, Sabres coach Don Granato began offering some insight into why the winger suddenly stopped scoring.
Olofsson, Granato explained, was battling a soft issue injury – it turned out to be his wrist – that hampered his shooting, his greatest asset. He would massage the puck, and that extra split-second allowed the goalie to catch up.
“He was frustrated and very down because he couldn’t ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller is Buffalo’s all-time wins leader. ©2022, Dan Hickling
Decorated former goalie Ryan Miller will have his No. 30 retired and be inducted into the Buffalo Sabres’ Hall of Fame prior to their Jan. 19 game against the New York Islanders, the team announced Thursday.
Miller, 42, learned of the honors in early June during a visit to KeyBank Center when the Sabres played a video message from legendary former play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret.
The American will become the seventh player and second goalie ... Read the full article