WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
January Edition
Josh Gorges (4) leads the NHL in blocked shots. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – Take away the character, take away the tenacity, and Buffalo Sabres veteran Josh Gorges becomes a run-of-the-mill defenseman.
The undrafted Gorges has built an unlikely 10-year NHL career by showcasing passion – on and off the ice.
“I have to play with my heart,” Gorges, whose Sabres play the Maple Leafs tonight, said Monday. “I have to play everything I got every shift.”
The 30-year-old believes he couldn’t do either of those wearing ... Read the full article
Bryan Trottier has won seven Stanley Cups. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Two men who had spent their entire lives in hockey never met until a chance encounter almost 19 years ago outside Memorial Auditorium.
It was 1995-96, Ted Nolan’s first year as Sabres coach. Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier, an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins, was walking outside the Aud in a snowstorm when Nolan spotted him.
Nolan pulled over and offered a lift.
“We had a five-minute chat,” Trottier, one of ... Read the full article
Tyler Myers turned a corner last season. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Before the defensemen became Sabres teammates, they met about nine years ago, as Tyler Myers was beginning his junior career and Josh Gorges was leaving the Kelowna Rockets for professional hockey.
Gorges couldn’t believe the teenager’s lanky frame.
“He was 6-5, 6-6, but probably only 180 pounds,” Gorges, who will skate beside Myers in tonight’s season opener, recalled earlier this week. “I’m thinking, ‘They’re really high on this kid, he better fill out. ... Read the full article
Brian Gionta talks about being named captain Tuesday. ©2014, Margaret Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For five years, Josh Gorges watched Brian Gionta closely. Gionta’s Stanley Cup ring offered him instant credibility in the Montreal dressing room. But Gorges quickly learned why Gionta won a championship.
Gorges noticed the professionalism Gionta exhibited, the strong habits that made him a leader and respected captain.
“I’ve said this all along, when you’re a young guy coming into a team … who do you look to in the room and say, ... Read the full article
Brian Gionta, a candidate to be captain, has worn an ‘A’ this preseason. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – How close is Ted Nolan to naming a new Sabres captain?
“Uh, real close,” the coach said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.
Don’t expect an announcement today, however.
“It hasn’t officially happened yet, but we all know who the leadership is going to be on this team,” he said. “We’ll officially sit down with people. We haven’t talked to anybody yet.”
The Sabres open the season one week from today.
In ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko skates this morning. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Two weeks into training camp, center Mikhail Grigorenko remains the Sabres’ biggest surprise. Two more impressive outings could earn the Russian prospect a roster spot.
“He’s been looking really good,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “He’s strong on the puck. He’s been making some really good plays. So the biggest thing right now is keep seeing him do it.”
Grigorenko has two more preseason opportunities, tonight ... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart has played all three preseason games. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – After playing three games in a five-day stretch to open the preseason, top Sabres prospect Sam Reinhart will likely sit out Sunday’s exhibition tilt in Toronto, coach Ted Nolan said.
Reinhart agreed with Nolan’s assessment he enjoyed his best outing in Friday’s 6-4 loss to the Maple Leafs. The center had zero points and one shot in 16 minutes, 46 seconds of ice time, mostly between Cody Hodgson and Brian Gionta.
“I think ... Read the full article
Tim Schaller has looked impressive this training camp. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ted Nolan knew very little about Sabres prospect Tim Schaller prior to training camp. The center hasn’t dazzled the coach, but his play away from the puck has been catching Nolan’s eye.
“I just thought his hockey intelligence was evident to a few of us,” Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “He kept doing it day after day after day. We just felt that he deserves an opportunity.”
Schaller, an ... Read the full article
Brendan Lemieux’s father, Claude, enjoyed a long NHL career. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Rookie Brendan Lemieux figures he has a chance. Sure, the Sabres have more experienced players fighting for the two or three open wing spots this training camp. But the 18-year-old believes a place in tonight’s preseason lineup means they want to evaluate him.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have a chance,” Lemieux, the 31st pick in June, said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “I don’t think they would’ve ... Read the full article
Michal Neuvirth only played two games with the Sabres. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – They’ve been friends for years. Sabres goalies Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth grew up facing each other overseas. When their careers shifted to North America, they kept competing all the way to the NHL.
These days, the 26-year-olds are challenging for the same spot, the No. 1 goalie position.
“It’s Jhonas and Neuvirth’s time,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan said Friday inside the First Niagara Center following the first session of training camp.
The ... Read the full article