WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Mike Grier played for San Jose in between his stints in Buffalo. ©2022, Dan Hickling
Popular former Sabres winger Mike Grier made history today, becoming the first Black general manager in NHL history when the San Jose Sharks hired him to replace Doug Wilson, who resigned in April.
Grier, 47, spent three full seasons and the end of another with the Sabres, becoming one of their most respected veterans. The Sabres haven’t made the playoffs 2010-11, his last season.
The American played three seasons with the Sharks in between his ... Read the full article
Jake McCabe joined the Sabres late in 2013-14. ©2019, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – New Sabres coach Ralph Krueger announced today he has named center Marcus Johansson and defenseman Jake McCabe alternate captains for the 2019-20 season.
“We feel that that’s a strong group for the ice,” Krueger said following today’s practice inside KeyBank Center.
Johansson and McCabe replace defenseman Zach Bogosian and winger Kyle Okposo.... Read the full article
Chris Butler, his wife, Jordan, and their daughters, Avery (left) and Sloane, enjoyed a day with the Stanley Cup on July 22. ©2019, Chris Butler
It finally hit Chris Butler after the Stanley Cup arrived at his door last week in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
Even as Butler lifted hockey’s most coveted prize over his head on the TD Garden ice and kissed it June 12, it didn’t fully sink in he and his hometown St. Louis Blues had captured their first Cup.
“There’s such a wave of emotion going on at the time, almost disbelief of what just transpired,” said ... Read the full article
Kevyn Adams passed on other opportunities to run the Jr. Sabres. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – When the Sabres dismissed Kevyn Adams in 2013 following a short run as an assistant coach, he said he kept asking himself the same question.
“How do I make the biggest difference over this next chapter of my career?” Adams would say.
Not surprisingly, Adams had options to stay in hockey. Adams, whose playing days ended in 2008, earned loads of respect carving out an 11-year NHL career, mostly as a fourth-liner with ... Read the full article
Brian Gionta was Montreal’s captain four seasons. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – To most observers, it’s a formality. At some point before the season begins Oct. 9, the Sabres will name Brian Gionta their new captain.
Awarding Gionta the prestigious ‘C’ makes sense. The 35-year-old, the rebuilding club’s oldest and most experienced player, just served four seasons as Montreal’s captain. He won the Stanley Cup with New Jersey in 2003.
By any measure, the winger’s the Sabres’ most qualified candidate.
Still, Gionta, who signed a ... Read the full article
Matt Ellis was waived today. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
With no roster space left, the Sabres waived forward Matt Ellis today.
Is this the end of the 31-year-old’s five-year run with the team? Would he clear waivers? It’s possible a team will grab him. Will he make it to Rochester?
Ellis could come back right away even if he goes down. He was the Sabres’ only spare forward just days ago. Another player will get injured at some point.
Whatever happens, the hardworking ... Read the full article
