WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
February Edition
JJ Peterka learned he was recalled in the grocery store. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres prospect JJ Peterka was grocery shopping with Linus Weissbach on Monday in Rochester when his teammate’s phone rang.
Peterka’s phone wasn’t working, so to relay some special news, Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert called Weissbach, one of the German’s roommates.
“That was kind of weird but then I got the phone and Appert told me I got called up, so it was amazing,” said a smiling Peterka, who was officially recalled this ... Read the full article
Peyton Krebs has played 16 games with Rochester. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans.
BUFFALO – The Sabres this morning added reinforcements for their depleted lineup, recalling forward prospects Peyton Krebs, JJ Peterka and Arttu Ruotsalainen from the Rochester Americans.
The Sabres, who have five forwards in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, practiced with just 10 forwards Monday.
Krebs, 20, played 13 games for the Vegas Golden Knights over the past two seasons. Peterka, 19, has never played in the NHL. Ruotsalainen, 24, started the season with the Sabres.
Matt Ellis is in his first full season as an assistant coach. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Following the Sabres’ first practice in eight days, winger Kyle Okposo acknowledged that, yes, at times he recently wondered if they would ever skate together again.
On Sunday, Okposo arrived at the KeyBank Center excited the NHL’s Christmas/COVID-19 break had ended. But after coach Don Granato and forwards Dylan Cozens and Mark Jankowski tested positive for the virus, the Sabres canceled their scheduled afternoon practice.
“I was ready to go yesterday,” Okposo said ... Read the full article
Dustin Tokarski has played 14 games this season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Earlier this month, Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski entered COVID-19 protocol before a road game in Florida, so he spent his time quarantining in the Sunshine State.
“It wasn’t ideal since I couldn’t go and enjoy the ocean and the beaches,” Tokarski joked after rejoining his teammates for Monday’s practice inside KeyBank Center.
Tokarski, 32, said he has no idea how he caught the virus. He went from expecting to start Dec. 3 against ... Read the full article
Buffalo drafted Owen Power first overall on July 23. ©2021
BUFFALO – Having represented Team USA at the World Junior Championship 28 years ago, general manager Kevyn Adams understands what a special experience the tournament can be for a youngster like Sabres prospect Owen Power.
A year ago, Michigan refused to release Power to participate in Team Canada’s selection camp. If he made the squad, he would’ve been away from school about 50 days.
That was too long for the university.
So this year’s ... Read the full article
Kevyn Adams is preparing like Buffalo will play Wednesday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Some quick updates from KeyBank Center, where the Sabres practiced this morning for the first time in eight days following a Christmas/COVID-19 break:
– The Sabres today had zero players added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. With coach Don Granato and five players having tested positive for the virus, assistant coach Matt Ellis led a session with 16 skaters and three goalie.
If Granato can’t coach Wednesday’s scheduled home game against the New ... Read the full article
Don Granato is in his first season as Buffalo’s permanent coach. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
On Sunday, following a six-day pause, the Buffalo Sabres planned to reconvene and practice. Still, given how COVID-19 has been decimating NHL teams, it felt like their return to the ice could be delayed.
Sure enough, barely two hours before their scheduled 3 p.m. session, the Sabres canceled it. About 90 minutes later, they announced coach Don Granato and forwards Dylan Cozens and Mark Jankowski have entered the league’s COVID-19 protocol.
Right now, all three ... Read the full article
Don Granato briefly coached from a suite last season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato and forwards Dylan Cozens and Mark Jankowski this afternoon entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. Right now, all three are asymptomatic, according to the team.
The Sabres now have one coach and five players in protocol. Wingers Zemgus Girgensons, Vinnie Hinostroza and Jeff Skinner were added last week.
The team this afternoon canceled a practice scheduled for 3 p.m.
Following a four-day Christmas/COVID-19 break, NHL teams can reconvene today for testing, ... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons entered COVID-19 protocol last week. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon canceled a practice scheduled for 3 p.m.
Following a four-day Christmas/COVID-19 break, NHL teams can reconvene today for testing, practice and travel.
Right now, the Sabres have three players – wingers Zemgus Girgensons, Vinnie Hinostroza and Jeff Skinner – in the league’s COVID-19 protocol.
The Sabres possibly want to wait for test results before resuming practice.
Their next scheduled game is Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils at KeyBank ... Read the full article
Buffalo goalie prospect Devon Levi has compiled some eye-popping numbers at Northeastern. ©2021, Jim Pierce, Northeastern
It was in late August, the first day Northeastern could gather to prepare for its new season, when Mike Condon learned about the work ethic goalie Devon Levi possesses.
On that day, the team couldn’t skate yet. But Levi, one of the Buffalo Sabres’ top prospects, was hankering to face some shots. So the sophomore put on his full gear and went outside Matthews Arena in Boston into the late-summer heat.
“He was going out ... Read the full article