Mike Weber joined Windsor as an assistant coach shortly after retiring. ©2020, Dan Hickling, Hickling Images

Ex-Sabres Adam Mair, Mike Weber ready for new challenge with Amerks

When the Buffalo Sabres named ex-Americans coach Chris Taylor an interim NHL assistant a year ago, Adam Mair moved from his role as a development coach to Rochester’s bench.

Mair, 41, said he had always aspired to become a bench coach, and the seven weeks he spent assisting interim coach Gord Dineen “confirmed the passion that I sought out to achieve right when I stopped playing.”

“Being on the bench was the best way for ... Read the full article

Adam Mair filled in as an assistant coach in Rochester last season. ©2020, Micheline Veluvolu

Amerks hire former Sabres Adam Mair, Mike Weber as assistant coaches

The Rochester Americans have hired former Buffalo Sabres forward Adam Mair and defenseman Mike Weber as assistant coaches on Seth Appert’s staff, the AHL affiliate announced today.

“Adam and Mike are perfect fits to help establish a winning culture and develop our players in the American Hockey League,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said in a statement. “They share the same philosophies as Seth in their approach to the game and will be valuable resources ... Read the full article

Chris Taylor knows the Sabres well. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres expect Chris Taylor to fit in well as interim assistant coach

BUFFALO – Having just spent most of training camp with the Sabres, coach Ralph Krueger expects Chris Taylor to transition to the NHL smoothly.

The Sabres promoted Taylor, the Rochester Americans’ head coach, on an interim basis today to replace assistant coach Don Granato, who’s hospitalized with pneumonia.

Granato, 52, will be taking a medical leave from the Sabres.

“The curve is in the right direction,” Krueger said of Granato’s health following today’s practice ... Read the full article

Chris Taylor has led Rochester to two playoff appearances. ©2019, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres’ Don Granato hospitalized; Chris Taylor promoted on interim basis

BUFFALO – Assistant coach Don Granato has been hospitalized with severe pneumonia and will be taking a medical leave from the Sabres, the team announced this morning.

To replace him, the Sabres have promoted Rochester Americans head coach Chris Taylor on an interim basis.

Amerks assistant Gord Dineen, 57, will take over Taylor’s coaching duties. Sabres development coach Adam Mair will also assist Rochester early in the season.... Read the full article

Krys Barch (left) fights Shawn Thortnton while with Florida. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres hire Adam Mair, Krys Barch as player development coaches

BUFFALO – The Sabres have hired former hard-nosed NHL forwards Adam Mair and Krys Barch as player development coaches, the team announced today.

Mair compiled 38 goals, 114 points and 829 penalty minutes in 12 NHL seasons before retiring in from professional hockey in 2012. The 36-year-old played 615 NHL games, including 498 over seven seasons with the Sabres. Mair also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils. He ... Read the full article

Jason Spezza joined Dallas in the summer. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff happy to have Jason Spezza with Stars

BUFFALO – Right away, Lindy Ruff and Jason Spezza buried the hatchet. For years, as Ruff coached the Sabres and Spezza starred for the Ottawa Senators, the two were adversaries.

At the height of the fierce post-lockout Sabres-Senators rivalry, Ruff sent Adam Mair on the ice to jump Spezza, a move that helped ignite the infamous 2007 brawl between the teams after Chris Neil leveled Sabres co-captain Chris Drury.

Spezza, who was dealt to Ruff’s ... Read the full article

Lindy Ruff talks to Patrick Eaves (18) today. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Now with Stars, Lindy Ruff and Jason Spezza can laugh about past

BUFFALO – Right away, Lindy Ruff and Jason Spezza buried the hatchet. For years, as Ruff coached the Sabres and Spezza starred for the Ottawa Senators, the two were adversaries.

At the height of the fierce post-lockout Sabres-Senators rivalry, Ruff sent Adam Mair on the ice to jump Spezza, a move that helped ignite the infamous brawl between the teams after Sabres co-captain Chris Drury was injured.

Spezza, who was dealt to Ruff’s Dallas Stars ... Read the full article

Thomas Vanek compiled five goals and 15 points in 11 Austrian appearances. ©2012, Christian Bruna, www.christianbruna.at

Sabres’ Thomas Vanek happy with short Austrian stint

AMHERST – Having grown up in Austria, Thomas Vanek knew a lot about European hockey. Then the locked-out Buffalo Sabres winger, who left for the United States 14 years ago, signed a short contract with his hometown Graz 99ers, a team in the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga.

“Playing it and seeing it is definitely an experience,” Vanek said Wednesday after skating inside the Northtown Center.

Fans in the antiquated and small buildings throughout the EBEL ... Read the full article