WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
December Edition
Ilya Lyubushkin hadn’t scored a goal since last season. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
Ilya Lyubushkin had scored zero goals in his first 41 games with the Buffalo Sabres. In his five-year NHL career, the gritty Russian defenseman had scored just three goals in 252 contests, his last coming 10 months ago.
But when Lyubushkin grabbed the puck from Lightning captain Steven Stamkos in overtime Thursday and set off on a rare short-handed breakaway, Sabres coach Don Granato knew something special was about to happen.
“It was weird in ... Read the full article
The Sabres celebrated Ryan Miller by winning Thursday’s game. ©2023
BUFFALO – It was only fitting, right? On a night the Sabres honored Ryan Miller by retiring his No. 30 and inducting him into their Hall of Fame, the goalies stole the show in the home team’s thrilling 3-2 overtime victory.
At one end, rookie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, the Sabres’ best young netminder since Miller in the early 2000s, made several game-saving stops. Meanwhile, New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin made 19 of his 42 saves ... Read the full article
Jeff Skinner has been one of the NHL’s hottest scorers. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – It’s one thing to recapture your old form as Sabres winger Jeff Skinner did last year, scoring 33 goals during a remarkable comeback season.
But players Skinner’s age, 30, rarely showcase much growth. At that stage, they’re often nearing the end of their prime or past it.
Well, in Skinner’s case, maybe he’s just entering it.... 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
Ex-Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller fends of Pittsburgh’s Brandon Sutter during the 2013-14 season. ©2022, Dan Hickling
Decorated ex-Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, the franchise’s all-time leader in wins and games played, will have his No. 30 retired and be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame during the 2022-23 season, the team announced Friday.
Miller, 41, will become the seventh player and second goalie to have his number hang from the KeyBank Center rafters, joining Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin, Rene Robert, Tim Horton, Danny Gare, Pat LaFontaine and Dominik Hasek, the ... Read the full article
Casey Fitzgerald played his first 36 games with Buffalo this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres made three roster moves prior to Friday’s season finale against the Chicago Blackhawks, sending defenseman Casey Fitzgerald and goalie Aaron Dell to the Rochester Americans and recalling netminder Michael Houser.
The Amerks, who thumped the Utica Comets 8-1 in Friday’s regular-season finale at Blue Cross Arena, needed the victory to stay alive the AHL North Division playoff chase. Their defense has been decimated by injuries and recalls, so Fitzgerald’s arrival was ... Read the full article
Rick Jeanneret has called Sabres games for 51 seasons. ©2022, Dan Hickling
Legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret will become the 10th member of the Buffalo Sabres organization to be honored with a banner in the KeyBank Center rafters.
The Sabres this afternoon announced Jeanneret, who’s in his 51st and final season calling games, will have a banner bearing his name raised before the April 1 game against the Nashville Predators.
As part of what the team has named “RJ Night,” tributes will also be given and the ... Read the full article
Rene Robert (14) earned the respect of teammates like Mike Robitaille (clapping) during his career in Buffalo. ©2021, Janet Schultz
When Mike Robitaille caught up with Rene Robert last year, he was struck by how well his old friend and Buffalo Sabres teammate looked.
Robert, who was approaching his 72nd birthday, had a trim physique and a full head of hair. Robitaille saw the same man he had played with almost 50 years earlier.
“Looked like a young Rene to me, just kind of bouncing along and feeling good,” Robitaille told the Times Herald on ... Read the full article
Rene Robert holds his plaque at the Sabres’ Alumni Plaza outside KeyBank Center.
Rene Robert, a member of the Buffalo Sabres’ legendary “French Connection” line and one of the most popular players in franchise history, passed away Tuesday, the team announced. He was 72.
Robert had been hospitalized in Florida since suffering a heart attack last week.
Throughout much of the 1970s, Robert, center Gilbert Perreault and left wing Rick Martin formed hockey’s most dynamic trio.
In 2012, the Sabres immortalized the line by erecting a statue ... Read the full article
Rene Robert is one of the most popular players in Sabres history. ©2021, Janet Schultz
Rene Robert, a member of the Buffalo Sabres’ legendary “French Connection” line and one of the most popular players in franchise history, is hospitalized in Florida after suffering a heart attack, according to multiple reports.
Robert, 72, is in critical but stable condition and on life support systems as he awaits more heart procedures, according to The Buffalo News.
Throughout much of the 1970s, Robert, center Gilbert Perreault and left wing Rick Martin ... Read the full article
