WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
November Edition
Rick Jeanneret spent 51 years calling games for Buffalo. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
Jason Pominville considers himself lucky. The popular former Sabres captain arrived in Buffalo in his early 20s hoping he would hear legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret call his name for scoring a goal.
Well, before his rookie season ended in 2005-06, he scored the scintillating overtime goal that propelled the Sabres to a playoff upset against the Ottawa Senators. Just months into his career, he was a part of one of Jeanneret’s signature calls.
“I ... Read the full article
Ilya Lyubushkin played one season in Buffalo. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres trimmed their defense corps Friday night, trading Ilya Lyubushkin to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2025.
The Sabres had nine defensemen on one-way contracts prior to dealing Lyubushkin, who’s entering the final season of a two-year, $5.5 million contract.
While Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams has said he would be comfortable having a surfeit of defensemen in training camp, it wasn’t surprising the Sabres made a move.... Read the full article
Alumni and members of Buffalo’s brass watch as Rick Jeanneret speaks at his banner-raising ceremony April 1, 2022. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
In the moments after the Buffalo Sabres’ nightlong celebration of legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret ended in 2022, coach Don Granato did something out of character.
“RJ Night” had been perfect, as the Sabres rode the wave energy from an emotional pregame banner-raising ceremony to a thrilling victory before a raucous crowd.
As the special evening ended, Granato was prodded to put on a turtleneck and suspenders – a tribute to Jeanneret’s style – for ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller’s No. 30 was retired by Buffalo last season. ©2023, Dan Hickling
Former Buffalo Sabres stars Ryan Miller and Thomas Vanek are back in the NHL working for an old teammate, San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier.
Miller, 43, will scout draft-eligible goalies and assist Evgeni Nabokov in goaltender development, the Sharks announced Friday.
Meanwhile, Vanek, 39, will be an amateur scout in Minnesota.... Read the full article
Rick Jeanneret called Sabres games for 51 seasons. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
Legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret, one of the most iconic figures in Buffalo Sabres history, died Thursday evening, the team announced. He was 81.
Jeanneret died following a two-year battle with multi-organ failures, according to his family.
He retired following the 2021-22 season, his record 51st year on the job. He spent last season as a broadcaster emeritus making appearances on behalf of the team and was often seen around KeyBank Center.
The Sabres gave ... Read the full article
Zach Redmond (right) skates near Utica’s Ashton Sautner as a member of Rochester in 2017-18. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
The Buffalo Sabres have hired former NHL defenseman Zach Redmond, who starred for the Rochester Americans for three seasons, as a player development coach and Brad Dexter as a scout, the team announced Wednesday.
Redmond, 35, recently retired as a player following three seasons with Red Bull Munich, a team in Deutsche Eishockey Liga.
The Sabres needed to find a new development coach after former NHL defenseman Nathan Paetsch moved behind the bench to become ... Read the full article
Matej Pekar never made an impact in Rochester. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
Five years ago, Matej Pekar ranked among the Buffalo Sabres’ top forward prospects.
Days after they drafted the Czech in 2018, he illustrated how much he relished being an agitator by hitting center Casey Mittelstadt, the eighth overall pick in 2017, in the head during a three-on-three development camp tournament.
Pekar did not stop there. He kept pestering Mittelstadt. At one point, the youngsters shoved and it appeared they might fight.... Read the full article
Sean Malone played five seasons in Rochester. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
West Seneca native Sean Malone, who played five of his first six pro seasons in the Buffalo Sabres organization, has signed a two-year contract with the SCL Tigers, a Swiss National League team.
Malone, 28, has spent most of his career with the Rochester Americans, compiling 62 goals and 133 points in 261 games.
The versatile center played one contest for the Sabres, his pro debut late in 2016-17 after leaving Harvard. He made ... Read the full article
Vinnie Hinostroza played sparingly last season. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres have enjoyed remarkable roster stability this offseason. Right now, every regular from last year’s team is still with them.
If the Sabres keep winger Victor Olofsson – Jack Quinn’s Achilles injury makes a trade seem less likely – every healthy player who played at least 50 games in 2022-23 could be on their opening night roster Oct. 12.
Still, some players have left. So far this summer, three who spent time in ... Read the full article
Zach Benson skates during development camp earlier this month. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres on Friday signed winger Zach Benson, the 13th overall pick this year, to a three-year, entry-level contract.
He’s the second prospect from the Sabres’ 2023 draft class to ink his deal, joining forward Anton Wahlberg, the 39th selection.
The contract has a $950,000 average salary cap hit – an $855,000 base salary and a $95,000 signing bonus – according to capfriendly.com.
Benson, 18, enjoyed a dynamic junior campaign with the ... Read the full article