Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Cory Conacher endured long road to reach NHL dream

BUFFALO – There was no straight path to the NHL for Cory Conacher. About 10 years ago, after the AAA Burlington Cougars cut him, the diminutive Sabres winger figured his hockey career was over.

“You always run into a certain coach that just doesn’t like your physical stature,” Conacher recalled Friday, “and that’s kind of I think what happened.”

But the 5-foot-8 Conacher had a chip on his shoulder that would help buoy him ... Read the full article

Sabres recall rookie Rasmus Ristolainen from Amerks

BUFFALO – With defenseman Alexander Sulzer out, the Sabres today recalled rookie Rasmus Ristolainen from Rochester.

The 19-year-old should play tonight in New York against the Islanders, his first NHL game since Nov. 15.

Ristolainen, the eighth overall pick in June, compiled one goal and four penalty minutes in 19 games after making the Sabres out of training camp. He played one game under interim coach Ted Nolan before the Sabres sent him to the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zenon Konopka donating money from wine sales to local charities

BUFFALO – Zenon Konopka has worked with Stop Concussions, former NHL star Keith Primeau’s foundation, for years. So the center wanted to get involved locally after the Sabres claimed him off waivers in January.

The native of nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., said he’s met some unbelievable local doctors “doing some great things with concussions, especially with young kids.”

To help out with concussions and other causes, Konopka, who has a line of wines available at zkwines.com... Read the full article

Amerks acquire Nick Petrecki on loan from Sharks

With veteran defenseman and captain Drew Bagnall out for the season, the Rochester Americans today acquired Nick Petrecki on loan from the San Jose Sharks.

The 24-year-old Petrecki has one goal, three points and 54 penalty minutes with the AHL Worchester Sharks this season. The defenseman played one NHL game with San Jose last season.

Petrecki, 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, has eight goals, 46 points and 531 penalty minutes in 277 career AHL games. The ... Read the full article

Move from defense to wing helped Sabres’ Nicolas Deslauriers earn notice, first NHL recall

BUFFALO – Nicolas Deslauriers started off as a fill-in. The Manchester Monarchs only had two forwards lines early in training camp, so the 23-year-old, one of 10 defensemen on the AHL club, moved up to the wing.

“They put me up front just to basically fill out the spots because there was nobody,” Deslauriers said Sunday prior to the Sabres’ 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks inside the First Niagara Center, his second NHL game. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cory Conacher asked Patrick Kane for permission to wear No. 88

BUFFALO – While the Sabres never told newcomer Cory Conacher he couldn’t wear No. 89 again, the winger passed out of respect for Alexander Mogilny, who scored 76 goals in 1992-93.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to get 76 goals in a year, that’s going to be pretty tough,” Conacher joked Sunday inside the First Niagara Center prior to his Sabres debut, a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Conacher then settled on No. ... Read the full article

Sabres newcomer Cory Conacher OK’d No. 88 number with Patrick Kane

BUFFALO – Sabres newcomer Cory Conacher said he spoke to a couple of people about choosing a number. The winger wouldn’t wear No. 89 again out of respect for Alexander Mogilny, who scored 76 goals in 1992-93.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to get 76 goals in a year, that’s going to be pretty tough,” Conacher said this morning inside the First Niagara Center prior to his Sabres debut.

Conacher then settled on No. ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Mark Pysyk still developing with Amerks

ROCHESTER – By most standards, Mark Pysyk is ready for regular NHL duty. His efficient, steady play during 42 appearances earlier this season earned the rookie praise as the Buffalo Sabres’ best defenseman.

But the 22-year-old is back with the Americans, riding buses again in the AHL.

At first, it appeared his Jan. 24 assignment would only be temporary. The Sabres wanted Pysyk to keep playing during the Olympic break, they said. Six weeks ... Read the full article

Amerks don’t know when new acquisition Rostislav Klesla will report to AHL club

ROCHESTER – Veteran defenseman Rostislav Klesla, an afterthought in Wednesday’s Jaroslav Halak-Michael Neuvirth trade, still hasn’t reported to the AHL Americans.

Amerks coach Chadd Cassidy said he still expects the 31-year-old Klesla, a veteran of 659 NHL games, to report.

So when will the Czech be joining the club?

“We’re still trying to figure that out at this point,” Cassidy said Friday following the Amerks’ 4-1 win against the Syracuse Crunch inside the Blue ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Luke Adam, Nicolas Deslauriers from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres have recalled wingers Luke Adam and Nicolas Deslauriers from Rochester on an emergency basis. They could play tonight in Florida.

Forwards Zemgus Girgensons and Chris Stewart left Thursday’s 3-1 in Tampa Bay after suffering lower-body injuries and are likely out against the Panthers.

Interim coach Ted Nolan said the Sabres probably wouldn’t summon anyone because winger Cory Conacher, a waiver acquisition, was set to join the club and they have ... Read the full article