Archives for April 8, 2016

‘“I went through a lot of different emotions, a lot of ups and downs, so yeah, there’s really bad days,” Ennis said in First Niagara Center. “There’s days where you feel great, and there’s days where it’s tough. To say I wasn’t scared at some point would probably be a lie, but I feel so good right now. I feel great. I feel 100 percent.’

‘Schneider’s first big-league opportunity was a long time coming. After two years of junior hockey and two seasons at the University of Connecticut, he spent parts of five seasons with Ottawa’s minor-league team in Binghamton. Despite recording 83 goals and 191 points in 263 games, he never got the call from the Senators.’

‘“There’s days where you feel great and days where it’s tough,” Ennis said Thursday following his first practice since he was injured Dec. 30. “To say I wasn’t scared at some point would probably be a lie, but I feel so good right now. I feel great. I feel 100 percent.”‘

‘“He’s paid a lot of dues to get here,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said Thursday.’

Blue Jackets, Sabres at a glance (Columbus Dispatch)
Blue Jackets-Sabres Preview (AP)
Sabres host Blue Jackets in home finale (NHL.com)
Jackets, Sabres begin season’s final weekend in Buffalo (BlueJackets.com)

‘Both players were called up on from AHL Rochester on Thursday and are in a position to make their NHL debuts during one of Buffalo’s final two games of the season.’

‘Though he’s been ruled out from playing in Buffalo’s final two games of season, Ennis took a major step in his recovery by rejoining his teammates for the first time since being hurt in the second period of a 5-2 loss at Washington on Dec. 30. The diminutive forward was going after the puck along the boards in his own zone, when he suddenly turned his back and was hit from behind by Capitals star Alex Ovechkin.’

‘Rodrigues has 28 points in 68 games for Rochester this season during his first professional season.’

‘Ennis missed 59 games this season and was all smiles on Thursday. He won’t get back into games this season, but he also is more thankful these days for what he does have, “Today was a great day. I was with the team, it’s so fun to be out there and to joke around with the boys.” Ennis added, “I’m now on the ice and it’s the greatest feeling so, I had a lot of time to reflect and be grateful for what I have, so I want to take preparations and every aspect of the game to another level because I’m so excited for the future.”’

‘Rodrigues (5’11”, 174 lbs., 7/28/1993) has 28 points (9+19) in 68 games for Rochester this season during his first professional campaign. The Toronto, Ontario native signed with Buffalo as an unrestricted free agent on April 22, 2015 and ranks second among Amerks rookies in assists and points.’