WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Rick Dudley had two stints with Buffalo as a player. handout/promotional photo
Rick Dudley never wanted to leave that special group of Sabres. He was loving life in Buffalo and living a dream that felt unreachable just a few years earlier. But the money – 10 times what he was earning in the NHL – and the security it offered him became too much to turn down. He couldn’t say no.
So early in what he called a “magical” 1974-75 season, Dudley agreed to a five-year, no-trade, ... Read the full article
Alumni and members of Buffalo’s brass watch as Rick Jeanneret speaks at his banner-raising ceremony April 1, 2022. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
In the moments after the Buffalo Sabres’ nightlong celebration of legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret ended in 2022, coach Don Granato did something out of character.
“RJ Night” had been perfect, as the Sabres rode the wave energy from an emotional pregame banner-raising ceremony to a thrilling victory before a raucous crowd.
As the special evening ended, Granato was prodded to put on a turtleneck and suspenders – a tribute to Jeanneret’s style – for ... Read the full article
Gabe Perreault has packed on weight over the past two years. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
NASHVILLE – The genesis of NHL Draft prospect Gabe Perreault’s recording-breaking season for Team USA’s Under-18 squad began a year earlier.
In 2021, Perreault arrived in Plymouth, Michigan, a skinny 16-year-old. Dan Muse, his former coach at the National Team Development Program, said the high-scoring winger weighed just 130 or 140 pounds.
So Perreault took advantage of the resources the program offers and reshaped his body.... Read the full article
Owen Power enjoyed a terrific rookie season. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Throughout Sabres defenseman’s Owen Power’s terrific rookie season, his age often accompanied any mention of his exploits.
Can you believe the important minutes Power plays as a 20-year-old? Look at the poise and smarts he possesses for a 20-year-old.
Forget about his age, coach Don Granato said. Power’s first season was dynamic by any standard.
“What he did, 30-year-old guys in the league that have played 10, 12, 13 years can’t do,” ... Read the full article
Owen Power led all rookies in ice time. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power on Wednesday was named one of three finalists for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s rookie of the year.
Power, 20, enjoyed a dynamic season, stepping into the lineup and providing an immediate impact. He led all rookies in ice time per game (23:48) and total ice minutes (1,880:20), the fifth- and seventh-highest figures, respectively, since the league began tracking the stat 25 years ago.
The 6-foot-6, 218-pound Power ... Read the full article
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
Tage Thompson also received star honors last week. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
A dynamic three-game stretch in which Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson scored four goals and eight points has earned him NHL Second Star honors for the second consecutive week.
Thompson, 25, continued his torrid production, recording multiple points in each outing as the Sabres went 3-0-0 during the week ending Sunday.
The American scored the game-winning goal in last Tuesday’s 6-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings and Saturday’s 5-2 road win against the Arizona ... Read the full article
Tage Thompson has scored 21 goals this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
We’re going to break this down a bit because center Tage Thompson’s brilliant five-goal, six-point night ranks as one of the greatest performances in the Buffalo Sabres’ 53-year history.
Thompson, 25, was downright dominant early in Wednesday’s 9-4 annihilation of the hapless Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena, scoring four goals and five points in the first period as the Sabres opened up a stunning 6-0 lead.
Incredibly, he recorded his second hat trick ... 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