|
NEW OWNERS FOR THE JR. SABRES
New owners for the Jr. Sabres
 Posted: Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 — 9:51 PM
BUFFALO, N.Y. (May 7, 2008) --- Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association and the the Buffalo Sabres, in theirongoing commitment to youth hockey in Western New York, today announced they will be buying andassuming control of the Buffalo Junior Sabres. The Jr. Sabres are the only U.S.-based team thatparticipates in the Ontario Provincial Junior “A” Hockey League (OPJHL). The OPJHL is scoutedheavily by Division I U.S. colleges, and players in the league are annually offered scholarships toplay at these institutions of higher education.
“The Buffalo Sabres Foundation strongly believes in continuing to promote youth hockey programs
throughout Western New York,” stated Sabres Managing Partner Larry Quinn. “The Buffalo Jr. Sabres
gives these players the ability to develop their talent locally against the highest level of competition.”
The team had been operated by Chuck Giambra since 1987 and offers a home for local hockey players
who excel and want to further their careers. The Buffalo Sabres see the value of supporting this team and
have committed to allowing the team to use the HSBC Arena when available for both practices and games.
Larry Playfair will be team president, and Grant Ledyard will remain as the team’s general manager and
head coach. Last year was Ledyard’s first behind the bench and Buffalo finished with a record of
15-30-4 (34 pts.), good for eighth place in the OPJHL’s highly-competitive West Division.
This was an 11-point improvement over the team’s 9-35-5 (23 pts.) record in 2006-07.
“We are very excited to partner with the Buffalo Sabres Foundation. Our involvement will help solidify the
financial stability of the team and give some of the local boys in the Buffalo-Rochester corridor a viable
home to enhance their careers,” said Playfair. “Chuck Giambra should be applauded for what he has done.
He has been able to keep an asset in our community for the past 21 years.”
The team has also been a launching pad to an NHL career for several former players.
These players include: Brian Gionta (New Jersey Devils); Lee Stempniak (St. Louis Blues);
Kevyn Adams (Chicago Blackhawks);Aaron Miller (Vancouver Canucks); Todd Marchant (Anaheim Mighty Ducks);
Ryan Callahan (New York Rangers); Jeff Farkas (Atlanta Thrashers).
Recently, Jr. Sabres alum Kyle Rogers signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs immediately after completing
four years with the Niagara University Purple Eagles. Rogers is currently playing with the Toronto Marlies
in the AHL’s Calder Cup Playoffs.
The Jr. Sabres will be holding a two-day Evaluation Camp for the 2008-09 roster on May 17-18 at the
Amherst Pepsi Center. All participants must pre-register using the forms that are available for download at
Eligible players must have been born in 1988-92. Space is limited so please register early.
Since the inception of the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association 20 years ago, they have helped 57 local
students with scholarships for their higher education. The Alumni has donated over $700,000 back to the
community through gifts to hospitals and charities. Over those 20 years, the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association
has helped numerous other groups raise funds for their charities by participating in hockey, basketball, golf tournaments
and hockey games as well as donating their time and various other functions.
Team History
1975-1986: known as the Buffalo Junior Sabres
1987-1999: known as the Niagara Scenic Hockey Club
1999-2005: known as the Buffalo Lightning Hockey Club
2005-present: known as the Buffalo Junior Sabres
|
