WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
September Edition
Jack Eichel’s excited for his pro “debut.” ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Since arriving in Buffalo last week, Sabres prospect Jack Eichel has been “doing the media tour and doing a million things.” The 18-year-old center just wants to play a hockey game, something he hasn’t done in months.
Eichel will get his wish tonight, when the Sabres host what is quickly becoming a huge summer event, the annual development camp scrimmage at 7 p.m. inside the First Niagara Center.
The Sabres have already sold ... Read the full article
Matt Ellis joined the Sabres in 2008. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Matt Ellis will be back for an eighth season with the Sabres organization.
The Rochester Americans signed the popular forward to a one-year AHL contract today. The respected 33-year-old, a veteran of 356 NHL games, spent parts of two seasons as Amerks captain before getting recalled. He could wear the ‘C’ in 2015-16.
Ellis has split the last three seasons between Buffalo and Rochester, playing 95 games in each league. He started the ... Read the full article
Alex Biega made his NHL debut Feb. 16. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Alex Biega had finally cracked an NHL roster. For 10 days in December, the defenseman earned a fatter paycheck and practiced with the Vancouver Canucks.
But, oddly enough, the 26-year-old former Sabres prospect never played. He got tantalizingly close to game action once, dressing for the pregame warm-up.
“It wasn’t frustrating, but I guess I was antsy just to get in,” Biega said by phone Wednesday after the Canucks landed in Buffalo. “I ... Read the full article
Jhonas Enroth has become the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Following a one-game rest, Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth will likely start tonight against the Colorado Avalanche, his 11th nod in the last 13 contests and 22nd appearance overall this season.
At his current pace, the 26-year-old would play 52 times. But given the frequency of his recent action, it’s not crazy to think the diminutive Swede, one of the NHL’s smallest netminders at 5-foot-10 and 166 pounds, could hit the prestigious ... Read the full article
Luke Adam scored 15 goals in 86 games with the Sabres. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – As a rookie three years ago, Luke Adam was a top prospect and budding star for the Sabres. The forward quickly became a Calder Trophy candidate, scoring three goals and six points in his first four games.
Adam, who often centered stars Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek, scored his 10th goal and 20th point in his 32nd game in 2011-12.
He never recorded another point that season.
By early that ... Read the full article
Jerry D’Amigo scored one NHL goal with Toronto. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In a trade of AHL forwards, the Sabres today acquired Jerry D’Amigo from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Luke Adam.
D’Amigo has been assigned to the Rochester Americans.
“We feel that this was a good deal that gave both teams a player they were looking for,” Sabres general manager Tim Murray said in a statement. “Jerry brings a tremendous work ethic to our organization and we know he’ll have an immediate impact ... Read the full article
Tyler Ennis had a goal and three points Sunday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Tyler Ennis still remembers every little detail of Nov. 14, 2009, the day the slick Sabres winger made his NHL debut.
When Portland Pirates coach Kevin Dineen told Ennis the Sabres could recall him for a game in Philadelphia that night, the youngster left the rink – “It was like a 30-minute drive,” he said – and went home.
He needed to eat, so he “picked up a quick Subway sandwich.”
Ennis then ... Read the full article
Tyler Ennis played one season in Portland. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Tyler Ennis still remembers every little detail of Nov. 14, 2009, the day the slick Sabres winger made his NHL debut.
When Portland Pirates coach Kevin Dineen told Ennis the Sabres could recall him for a game in Philadelphia that night, the youngster left the rink – “It was like a 30-minute drive,” he said – and went home.
He needed to eat, so he “picked up a quick Subway sandwich.”
Ennis then ... Read the full article
Joel Armia hasn’t played in a regular-season NHL game yet. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Since most NHL Entry Drafts don’t start paying dividends for a few years, here’s a look at the Buffalo Sabres’ first-round picks from 2006-11 and some notable hits and misses. Fourteen of Buffalo’s 43 draft choices over that time have made the NHL.
The Sabres have eight picks this weekend in Philadelphia, including the No. 2 selection.
2011
First-round pick: center Joel Armia, 16th overall
Armia endured a rough season in 2013-14, his ... Read the full article
Tim Kennedy played 78 games as a rookie with the Sabres in 2009-10. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Finally, more than three years after the leaving the Sabres, Tim Kennedy’s career appears to be on an upswing again.
The South Buffalo native has spent the last month as a Phoenix Coyotes regular, mostly playing left wing on a top line beside Radim Vrbata and Martin Hanzal. Kennedy skated 19:05 on Thursday, just 11 seconds less than his career high.
It’s been a long, arduous journey for Kennedy since the Sabres unexpectedly ... Read the full article