WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Jimmy Vesey should be an unrestricted free agent Tuesday. ©2016, Gil Talbot, Harvard Athletics
BUFFALO – Ten years ago, Jimmy Vesey wouldn’t have become front-page news or a household name in these parts. The Hobey Baker Award winner’s summer hockey games in Foxborough, Mass., wouldn’t have been discussed, let alone attended by fans and media members.
In an era now long gone, Vesey, whose rights the Sabres acquired June 20, would have simply been another strong prospect. Upon turning pro, the former Harvard University star would have reported ... Read the full article
Evander Kane has played one season with the Sabres. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Buffalo Sabres winger Evander Kane has been arrested and charged with one misdemeanor count of criminal trespass and four counts of non-criminal harassment in connection with an incident at a downtown bar last month.
Kane, 24, turned himself into Buffalo police this morning and was handcuffed before being released, according to multiple reports. He is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 1.
Kane’s attorney, Paul J. Cambria, told The Buffalo News, “Without a doubt, ... Read the full article
Rasmus Asplund left junior hockey almost two years ago. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Almost two years ago, in the midst of a high-scoring junior season, Rasmus Asplund’s success forced the Sabres prospect to “start from scratch,” he said.
Asplund had already scored 25 points in 19 games when Färjestad BK, a team in the Swedish Hockey League, the country’s highest pro circuit, recalled the center.
That meant Asplund, then just 16 years old, would start competing against men.
“It’s a different type of game when you ... Read the full article
The Sabres drafted Alexander Nylander on June 24. ©2016, Margaret Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed winger Alexander Nylander, the eighth overall pick last month, to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced tonight.
“We are extremely pleased to sign Alex to his entry-level deal,” Sabres general manager Tim Murray said in a statement. “When we selected Alex, we obviously knew he was a talented, skilled player. We look forward to him coming to training camp and competing for a job.”
On Tuesday, after ... Read the full article
Tim Murray won’t let himself worry about Jimmy Vesey. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The constant talk about whether former Harvard University star Jimmy Vesey will sign with the Sabres amazes general manager Tim Murray.
No one, of course, has more invested in Vesey than Murray, who traded a third-round pick for the Hobey Baker Award winner’s rights on June 20, a deal he has called a “gamble.”
If Vesey signs, Murray might have a first- or second-line winger to skate beside Jack Eichel or Ryan O’Reilly. ... Read the full article
Michael Campoli was stretchered off the ice Tuesday. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For about 20 minutes Tuesday morning, as defenseman Michael Campoli stayed motionless on the ice, the 1,000 or so fans inside HarborCenter watching a three-on-three Sabres prospects tournament barely made a sound.
Campoli, an invite to development camp, had just been hit into the boards by winger William Carrier. The defenseman managed to get up but stumbled and fell down again.
The ensuing scene, with Sabres medical staff and Buffalo Fire Department ... Read the full article
Jimmy Vesey will likely become a free agent Aug. 15. ©2016, Gil Talbot, Harvard Athletics
BUFFALO – Tim Murray sounded like he was venting a bit. For the Sabres general manager, the pursuit of Jimmy Vesey, the NCAA star whose rights he recently acquired, is just one thing on his plate.
“I’ve talked about this literally less than anyone else in Buffalo,” Murray said this afternoon after development camp ended inside HarborCenter. “I hear the guys on the radio and people are mad. This is like top-end news. I ... Read the full article
Michael Campoli is a development camp invite. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres prospect Michael Campoli was stretchered off the ice this morning with his neck stabilized after getting hit into boards late in a three-on-three development camp scrimmage.
Campoli, 18, was knocked by William Carrier and tried to skate off the HarborCenter ice before falling down. Campoli, a defenseman, stayed motionless on the ice for about 20 minutes surrounded by team medical personnel and the Buffalo Fire Department.
New Update: The Sabres and Campoli ... Read the full article
Judd Peterson had a goal and an assist in Saturday’s scrimmage. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Technically, Judd Peterson still belonged to the Sabres, but the NHL club wasn’t too interested in evaluating the St. Cloud State University forward.
Just a year ago, Peterson appeared to have no future with the organization that had drafted him out of high school in the seventh round, 204th overall, in 2012.
After participating in two development camps run by the team’s old regime, Peterson, 22, wasn’t invited back in 2014 or ... Read the full article
Alexander Nylander hasn’t worn a Sabres jersey on the ice yet. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Watching a top prospect skate in a Sabres jersey for the first time, even in a development camp setting, is a special experience for fans always eager to welcome new talent.
For the next six days, starting with today’s session inside HarborCenter, the Sabres’ rabid fan base will receive its first glimpses of Swedish winger Alexander Nylander, the eighth overall pick June 24 at the First Niagara Center, sporting blue and gold ... Read the full article