WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Connor McDavid stretches Tuesday in Buffalo. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Hockey phenom Connor McDavid mostly avoids the kind words that are being written about him.
“I’ve been trying to do that as much as I can, because it can either get in your head that you’re too good, or bad press can also get in your head and do negative things for you,” the slick Erie Otters center said Tuesday. “I just try to stay away from reading about yourself.”
Some words, however, ... Read the full article
Jay McKee won a championship earlier this year. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Twitter funnyman and former Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jay McKee has joined the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters as an assistant coach.
The team introduced the 36-year-old during a news conference this afternoon.
No word on whether he’ll still tweet about Nathan Gerbe’s size.
McKee, who retired from the NHL in 2010, coached one year with the Rochester Americans in 2011-12 before getting fired by former coach Ron Rolston.
Prior to his 802-game NHL ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko could make his NHL debut Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres first planted the seeds almost seven months ago inside the Consol Energy Center. Mikhail Grigorenko, the slick center that had just fallen to them 12th overall at the NHL Entry Draft, would be given every chance to play in the big leagues immediately, they said.
The strong words from the team’s brass that June night in Pittsburgh resonated. The Sabres hadn’t had an 18-year-old play regularly for them since center ... Read the full article
Tyler Myers said playing in Austria was a “great alternative” to the NHL. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
AMHERST – Tyler Myers acknowledged the left ankle injury he suffered last month in Austria was the “nightmare scenario” for any locked-out NHL player in Europe.
At first, the Buffalo Sabres defenseman was nervous about the injury.
“But once we figured out what it was, I knew it would be pretty quick,” Myers said Tuesday after skating about 90 minutes with some Sabres teammates inside the Northtown Center. “I didn’t want to push it to ... Read the full article
Jordan Leopold insists the locked-out players have hope. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
AMHERST – Now they’re officially on their own, locked out and barred from any contact with the organization. About 12 Buffalo Sabres regulars skated with some prospects Monday morning inside the Northtown Center, the first of possibly dozens of practices without a regular coaching staff.
The team employees who had recently assisted with informal skates have left. Other than the Sabres logo on their jerseys, something the players could soon ditch, the symbol has almost ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – Popular former Sabres defenseman Jay McKee won’t return for a second season as an assistant coach with the club’s AHL affiliate in Rochester.
The Sabres didn’t renew the 34-year-old’s contract, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported. Coach Ron Rolston wouldn’t elaborate to the paper, only saying it related to McKee’s “fit.”
Prior joining Rochester last season, Rolston had worked with his other top assistant, Chadd Cassidy, for years with USA Hockey.
McKee, a ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – Some of the names you’ve possibly heard bandied around in trade rumors, the players fans might be drooling about seeing in blue and gold, Sabres general manager Darcy Regier has discussed with his counterparts.
The Sabres, owners of four of the first 44 selections at this weekend’s NHL Entry Draft at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, including picks 12 and 21, have some nice chips if they want to deal.
At this ... Read the full article