WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
July Edition
Mike Leone played for four current or former NHL coaches. ©2024, Dan Hickling, USHL
Mike Leone said he considers himself to be probably the luckiest guy in hockey.
The new Rochester Americans coach retired from playing at 28, never rising above the ECHL. But at each level of hockey during his days as a forward – junior, college and pro – he learned from someone who had been an NHL coach or would become one.
As a teenager with the Texarkana and St. Louis Bandits, Leone played for future ... Read the full article
Artyom Levshunov goes through fitness testing Saturday at the NHL Scouting Combine in LECOM Harborcenter. ©2024, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Two years ago, Artyom Levshunov arrived in the United States speaking little English. Today, the defenseman can comfortably hold court in front of a throng of reporters and cameras, joking and showcasing his personality.
At the NHL Scouting Combine, the affable Levshunov, 18, smoothly fielded questions, explaining his hockey journey from Belarus to the NHL Draft, where he could be selected as high as second overall June 28.
New Rochester Americans coach Mike ... Read the full article
Michael Leone replaces Seth Appert as Rochester’s coach. ©2024, Dan Hickling, USHL
The Buffalo Sabres have hired another coach from junior hockey to be the Rochester Americans’ bench boss.
The Sabres on Thursday named Michael Leone, who spent the last two seasons as the general manager and coach of the United States Hockey League’s Green Bay Gamblers, as head coach of their AHL affiliate.
The 36-year-old replaces Seth Appert, who earned a promotion to Lindy Ruff’s staff in Buffalo last month following four seasons with the Amerks.... Read the full article
