Archives for July 2011

‘“Then my wife and I wanted to move back this way,” Crean said. “Fortunately there was an opening with the Sabres, so I returned to the Sabres for a second stinct. I was able to move into this position when the Sabres bought the team.”’

‘"I was at the Craig Charron event on Monday, and aren’t even waiting for the electronic version,” Black said. “They’re writing things on scraps of paper and giving it to me,” he added with a laugh.’

‘"I am both excited and honored to join an organization with as storied a tradition as the Rochester Americans,” Rolston said. “The opportunity to work within the Sabres organization, and to develop players at the game’s highest level, is an opportunity that I am committed to and embrace."’

‘“The winning process starts with the selection of the players, and progresses with the development of those players,” Regier said. “There is no more important area than we recognize more than the development of those players."’

‘"We’re taking more responsibility for the player’s development and demand that the player takes more responsibility for his own development," Regier said Wednesday morning, when the Sabres introduced Rolston at news conference. "Winning begins with the selection of players (in the draft) and progresses with the development of those players."’

‘”Ron has had a tremendous influence on the continued rise of American players through seven successful years,” said Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of operations at USA Hockey. “He’s going to a wonderful organization in Buffalo and we know Ron will be an outstanding coach at the professional level.”‘

‘"What strikes me most about the organization is its strong leadership and its commitment to excellence and that starts with Terry Pegula," said Rolston, who played at Michigan Tech in the 1980s. "For me it’s going to be a great experience to learn from their leadership and also add to that."’

‘"He’s a very thorough, knowledgeable and prepared coach," said Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. "He’s been an integral part of our program for the past seven years. He has developed young American players to play at the highest level and to win internationally."’

‘Americans’ new coach, according to several reports. He’s expected to be introduced this morning at a news conference in Rochester.’

‘In one summer, the Sabres have been transformed into a major-market team. Fans have to get used to paying a little more to see one. For the most part, there are still plenty of good deals to be had, especially in the 300 level of HSBC Arena. There’s just not as many as folks might have gotten used to.’