Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

After hot finish, Sabres prospect Ethan Miedema primed for breakout season: ‘A 40-goal man’

In the moments after Ethan Miedema’s dynamic four-goal outing that kept the Kingston Frontenacs’ playoff hopes alive, coach Luca Caputi could see the relief on the youngster’s face.

“It looked to me like the weight of the world came off his shoulders,” Caputi said of the Buffalo Sabres wing prospect.

For a season and a half, Miedema cut his teeth on the Windsor Spitfires, scoring 25 goals for the Ontario Hockey League powerhouse. He fit ... Read the full article

Sabres to host Prospects Challenge rookie tournament Sept. 15 to 18

The Buffalo Sabres will again be hosting five teams at the Prospects Challenge rookie tournament from Sept. 15 to 18 at LECOM Harborcenter, the team announced Tuesday.

The Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins will all be participating in the round-robin tournament.

Tickets for the games cost $10 and will be available in early August. Season-ticket holders will have priority access and a preferred rate for tickets they purchase.... Read the full article

Sabres announce Jacksonville Icemen as new ECHL affiliate

The Buffalo Sabres on Monday announced they have signed an agreement with the Jacksonville Icemen to serve as their new ECHL affiliate.

The Sabres spent the previous six years affiliated with the Cincinnati Cyclones. Jacksonville, meanwhile, recently served as the New York Rangers’ affiliate.

The Rochester Americans, the Sabres’ AHL affiliate, can recall players from Jacksonville when they need help.... Read the full article

Sabres re-sign Linus Weissbach to one-year, two-way contract

The Buffalo Sabres on Monday re-signed winger Linus Weissbach to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 in the NHL.

Weissbach 25, was the Sabres’ last restricted free agent. The Swede has spent his entire two-year pro career with the Rochester Americans.

He scored 20 goals and 47 points in 69 games last season, offensive numbers that ranked third and fourth, respectively, on the Amerks. He added three goals and 10 points in 12 games during ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Anton Wahlberg, Brett Murray to contracts

The Buffalo Sabres on Friday signed two players, inking forward prospect Anton Wahlberg to a three-year, entry-level contract and winger Brett Murray to a one-year, two-way deal.

Wahlberg, 18, is the first member of the Sabres’ 2023 draft class to sign a contract. The Swede’s deal has a $950,000 average annual value, according to capfriendly.com.

Murray, 24, was a restricted free agent. His deal is worth $775,000 in the NHL. He will receive $250,000 in ... Read the full article

Sabres wing prospect Jake Richard and father bonded through unique hockey journey

BUFFALO – Gilles Richard returned home following a short stint as general manager of the Augusta RiverHawks and realized he needed to keep working in hockey.

It wasn’t for selfish reasons, mind you. No, in 2011, Richard decided to stay in hockey for his son, Jake, who had developed a passion for the sport.

When Jake was born in 2004, Gilles had just started working for the Jacksonville Barracuda, a team in the fledgling Southern ... Read the full article

Slick Mats Lindgren quietly emerging as strong Sabres defensive prospect

BUFFALO – At first glance, Sabres prospect Mats Lindgren’s junior season might look a bit underwhelming.

Yes, Lindgren scored a career-high 11 goals for the Red Deer Rebels. But his assist total dropped from 39 to 23 and his point total fell from 44 to 34.

Lindgren’s known as an offensive defenseman, and in his first junior season after the Sabres drafted him, he hardly posted eye-popping numbers.... Read the full article

New Amerks assistant coaches Vinny Prospal, Nathan Paetsch offer Sabres prospects notable experience

About six years ago, a mutual friend put Seth Appert and Vaclav “Vinny” Prospal in contact with each other.

Appert, now the Rochester Americans’ coach, was working at the U.S. National Team Development Program. Prospal, a veteran of 1,108 NHL games as a player, was coaching in the Tampa Scorpions youth organization.

As they chatted about hockey and player development, Appert realized how Prospal, who on Monday was named one of Rochester’s assistant coaches, embraced ... Read the full article

Sabres name Nathan Paetsch, Vinny Prospal assistant coaches with Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres today named former NHL players Nathan Paetsch and Vinny Prospal as assistant coaches on Seth Appert’s staff with the Rochester Americans.

They replace Mike Weber and Michael Peca, both of whom recently left the AHL team to take assistant coaching jobs in the NHL.

The Sabres also announced the coaching staffs in Buffalo and Rochester have received contract extensions. Sabres coach Don Granato earned an extension prior to last season.

Paetsch, 40, ... Read the full article

Rochester Amerks re-sign three players

The Rochester Americans on Friday re-signed three players – center Mason Jobst, goalie Michael Houser and winger Brendan Warren – to one-year AHL contracts.

They also inked forward Graham Slaggert, who spent last season with the Toronto Marlies, to a one-year AHL deal.

Jobst, 29, set career highs across the board last year, scoring 14 goals and 38 points in 61 regular-season games. He enjoyed the best stretch of his pro career during the ... Read the full article