WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Thomas Vanek scored his eighth goal Thursday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Call it hockey’s worst-kept secret.
Of course, Thomas Vanek couldn’t say anything as he bounced from team to team last season. But the former Sabres star confirmed the suspicions when free agency opened July 1, signing a three-year, $19.5 million contract with the Minnesota Wild.
Vanek, a Minnesota resident and Golden Gophers college hero, wanted to return home.
“Honestly, every time I went out somewhere and got recognized, that was one of the ... Read the full article
Jason Pomiville knows the Wild must start winning soon. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – A year ago, a meeting with the Sabres changed the Minnesota Wild’s season.
The Wild had lost six straight games before beating the hapless club 4-1 on Jan. 2 in Minnesota. The team then ran off three more victories, saving its season and perhaps coach Mike Yeo’s job. The Wild later advanced to the second round of the playoffs, giving Chicago a tough series.
Fast forward to today, and Minnesota, having lost six ... Read the full article
Tyler Myers is 6-foot-8. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – When your power play is operating at an NHL-worst 9 percent and has 11 goals all season, you better try something different.
So the Sabres tried something very different toward the end of today’s 90-minute practice, putting 6-foot-8 defenseman Tyler Myers in front of the net on the power play.
Why not, right? Boston often puts hulking defenseman Zdeno Chara in front.
“You put a big man there, you can draw a ... Read the full article
Dominik Hasek (right) is greeted by Rene Robert (14) and Danny Gare (18) prior to having his number retired Tuesday. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Goalie Dominik Hasek had never picked his own number before the Sabres acquired him in 1992.
Back home in the Czech Republic, he was given No. 9 as a 16-year-old when a player got sick. When he came to North America in 1990, the Chicago Blackhawks gave him Nos. 31 and 34.
So shortly after he arrived, Hasek was shocked when equipment manager Rip Simonick approached him at a late-summer workout at Sabreland ... Read the full article
Dominik Hasek speaks to the media this morning. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Legendary Sabres goalie Dominik Hasek had never chosen his own number.
Back home in the Czech Republic, he was given No. 9 as a 16-year-old when a player got sick. When he came to North America in 1990, the Chicago Blackhawks gave him Nos. 31 and 34.
So shortly after the Sabres acquired him in 1992, Hasek was shocked when equipment manager Rip Simonick approached him at a late-summer workout at Sabreland in ... Read the full article
Cody McCormick had a blood clot. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres forward Cody McCormick was released from the hospital Monday after being treated for a blood clot in his calf muscle, coach Ted Nolan said.
“Cross our fingers everything continues to go well,” Nolan said following an 80-minute practice inside the First Niagara Center. “No timeframe on his return whatsoever. Our No. 1 concern is making sure he’s OK.”
With McCormick sidelined, the Sabres recalled centers Zac Dalpe and Phil Varone from ... Read the full article
Zac Dalpe has played 96 NHL games. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres forward Cody McCormick was released from the hospital today after being treated for a blood clot in his calf muscle, coach Ted Nolan said.
“Cross our fingers everything continues to go well,” Nolan said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “No timeframe on his return whatsoever. Our No. 1 concern is making sure he’s OK.”
With McCormick sidelined, the Sabres recalled centers Zac Dalpe and Phil Varone from Rochester ... Read the full article
Brian Campbell joined Florida in 2011. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Don’t tell 35-year-old former Sabres All-Star Brian Campbell he’s the oldest member of the Florida Panthers.
“No, no, no, no,” Campbell said Friday prior to the Panthers’ 2-0 win against the Sabres inside the First Niagara Center. “I’m not even top two. I’m third. I might even be later.”
Campbell then turned to Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo.
“Louie, what month were you born in?” he asked.
Luongo replied he was born in April.... Read the full article
Michal Neuvirth will receive a rare start tonight. ©2015, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – As injuries recently weakened his defense corps, Sabres coach Ted Nolan spread out the wealth a bit, breaking up Rasmus Ristolainen, 20, and Nikita Zadorov, 19, arguably his best tandem.
“Our defense corps was a little bit in disarray for a while, and those two were probably our two shining lights,” Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center.
The struggling Sabres desperately need another strong defense pair, so with Ristolainen ... Read the full article
Tyler Ennis is the Sabres’ leading scorer. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Around this city and the Sabres, speedy Tyler Ennis is a star, the most dynamic offensive threat on a low-scoring team. Around the NHL, however, the winger is still a bit of an unknown.
Ennis’ name mostly pops up national circles when he scores a highlight-reel goal.
That could be starting to change.
One goal and five points during the three straight home wins just earned Ennis the NHL’s first star for the ... Read the full article