WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
JJ Peterka ranks among the AHL’s rookie scoring leaders. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
ROCHESTER – Sabres prospect JJ Peterka was recently working his way back into the lineup when the Americans wanted him to start killing penalties during practice.
For Peterka, 20, earning the coaches’ trust signaled his development had reached another level three months into his rookie season.
“He was very proud, he was very excited,” Amerks coach Seth Appert told the Times Herald last week.
The German was so excited that whenever he made a nice ... Read the full article
Ethan Prow has spent most of his career in the AHL. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Make that four. In addition to forwards Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch, it appears another player, defenseman Ethan Prow, will be making his Sabres debut tonight.
Like Peterka, Prow, 29, has never played in the NHL. Ironically, Peterka and Prow were teammates last season with Red Bull Munich, a Deutsche Eishockey Liga team.
The Sabres this morning recalled Prow to the taxi squad and Casey Fitzgerald to the active roster because ... Read the full article
Jeff Skinner on Tuesday tested positive for COVID-19. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
After having three games postponed and one player enter the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, the Sabres wanted to practice one final time before beginning a four-day break.
“Really get the guys going before we lead into the break,” Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said on a Zoom call Tuesday.
Adams said doctors approved the plan. If the Sabres didn’t have any additional positive cases, they would skate Tuesday morning at LECOM Harborcenter.
But on Tuesday, two ... Read the full article
Casey Mittelstadt has played just four games this season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato acknowledged that, yes, sometimes it can be hard to resist the temptation to recall one of the organization’s top prospects.
“There is a big temptation, yes, yes,” Granato said following Wednesday’s practice inside KeyBank Center. “When you go to Rochester and you see the skill level of those kids … there’s a big temptation that’s tough to fight at times.”
Having lost center Casey Mittelstadt to another upper-body injury ... Read the full article
Rochester was scheduled to play Wednesday and Friday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
The AHL on Wednesday afternoon postponed the Rochester Americans’ next two games due to COVID-19 protocols.
The Amerks were scheduled to host the Syracuse Crunch on Wednesday at Blue Cross Arena and the Springfield Thunderbirds on Friday. No makeup dates have been announced.
On Wednesday morning, the Amerks announced coach Seth Appert entered the league’s COVID-19 protocol and would be unavailable to coach against the Crunch. In his absence, assistants Michael Peca and Mike Weber... Read the full article
Seth Appert is in his second season coaching Rochester. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert has entered the AHL’s COVID-19 protocol and will be unavailable for tonight’s home game against the Syracuse Crunch, the team announced this morning.
In his absence, assistant coaches Michael Peca and Mike Weber will coach the Buffalo Sabres’ affiliate.
Appert, 47, is the first member of the Amerks to be sidelined by COVID protocols this season.
Update: The AHL this afternoon postponed tonight’s game and the Amerks’ home contest Friday ... Read the full article
Michael Peca is one of Buffalo’s all-time fan favorites. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
When former Buffalo Sabres captain Michael Peca retired following the 2008-09 season, he said an offer to become an assistant coach quickly materialized.
But having bounced around and played for four teams in five years, Peca knew it was time to step away after 14 seasons and dedicate more time to his family. He couldn’t accept the coaching job.
“The family makes sacrifices and has to do a lot for your career to succeed,” said ... Read the full article
Michael Peca spent five seasons playing in Buffalo ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Rochester Americans have named popular ex-Buffalo Sabres captain Michael Peca, a centerpiece during the team’s 1999 run to the Stanley Cup final, an assistant coach, the AHL affiliate announced today.
Peca, 47, joins ex-Sabres defenseman Mike Weber on Amerks coach Seth Appert’s staff. The 14-year NHL veteran replaces Adam Mair, who was named the Sabres’ director of player development last week.
“I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity in Rochester, being a part ... Read the full article
Mattias Samuelsson played 12 games with Buffalo. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
When Mattias Samuelsson returned to Rochester last week following a three-week stint with the Buffalo Sabres, the Americans’ coaching staff challenged the rookie defenseman.
The coaches wanted Samuelsson, fresh off first NHL recall, to use the remaining games on the Amerks’ truncated schedule as a springboard back to Buffalo next season.
“OK, you did a good job in those 12 games, you got a taste,” Amerks coach Seth Appert said the coaches told Samuelsson. “Now ... Read the full article
Don Granato missed Thursday’s game. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Interim coach Don Granato and assistant Matt Ellis cleared the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol and joined the Buffalo Sabres following Friday’s practice in Boston.
The Sabres announced shortly before Thursday’s 4-0 road loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins that Granato, 53, and Ellis, 39, had entered protocol and were self-isolating.
General manager Kevyn Adams filled in for Granato and the Sabres also promoted Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert to fill in for Ellis.... Read the full article