Bobs Woods coached with Anaheim before going to junior hockey. ©2016, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres hire Bob Woods as assistant coach

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Dan Bylsma filled one of the openings on his staff today, hiring Bob Woods as an assistant.

Woods, 48, just spent two seasons as the coach and general manager of the junior Saskatoon Blades, a Western Hockey League club. Prior to that, he was as an NHL assistant under Bruce Boudreau for six years in Washington and Anaheim.

Before his NHL run, Woods coached with the AHL Hershey Bears for five years, including a year and a half stint as head coach after Boudreau was promoted. The Bears won the Calder Cup in 2009.

Woods, who had a 752-game pro playing career, began coaching as a player-assistant in the ECHL in 1997-98. Woods spent eight years as a coach in the ECHL, including four as a head coach.

The Sabres had two openings because Dave Barr left for the Florida Panthers and the Sabres assigned Dan Lambert to coach the Rochester Americans, their AHL affiliate.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *