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'Coach Lindy Ruff was pleased with the pick, considering Vanek could be ready to make the jump to the NHL. "He's more mature than some other players, so he's a year closer," Ruff said. "He's playing against older players, and that puts him a step ahead of a lot of other players."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres Team Report

'Whatever direction, Regier already won. We're in the fourth week of June, the kids are out of school, and we're talking hockey. The picture certainly is prettier than it was a year ago. This might even be the setting for a playoff team.' … [Read more...] about Regier put future on line with Vanek

'Morrow, who stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 210 pounds, will play hockey at Boston University in the fall. "The first 10 guys drafted have legit chances of playing right away," Morrow said. "The rest are prospects drafted on where they are going to be."' … [Read more...] about Three Buccaneers picked on final day

'"Clarke is a real good pick for Buffalo," Carriere said. "He's got a real good offensive instinct to him and he hates to give anything away, defensively. He takes a lot of pride in that."' … [Read more...] about Meyer, C-Mac go on Day 1

'"I think overall we would say we did a very good job," said Don Luce, Sabres director of player personnel. "We got the things we were looking for. We accomplished what we wanted to do."' … [Read more...] about Sabres' draft features 10 picks and not much else

University of Minnesota forward Thomas Vanek, a three-year veteran of the United States Hockey League with Sioux Falls, was selected fifth overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the opening round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft this afternoon. … [Read more...] about Sabres select Vanek fifth overall

'He will meet with the Sabres' front office in the coming weeks to determine when he will turn professional, although the allure of more playing time and a shot at an NCAA three-peat with Minnesota is strong.' … [Read more...] about Sabres get Vanek with fifth pick

'Although just 19 years old, the 6-foot-2, 208-pound Vanek was described by hockey analysts on ESPN2 as the best pure goal-scorer in the draft and one of few guys in the top five picks who is ready to play in the NHL next year.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo takes Vanek with fifth overall pick

'Beginning with Jan Hejda, taken 106th overall, the Sabres concluded the draft by selecting five defensemen with their final seven picks.' … [Read more...] about Sabres turn to defense in Day 2 of NHL draft

'"I won a championship there already and hopefully there is more to come," Vanek said. "I'm happy to be in Buffalo."' … [Read more...] about Vanek has chance to return to Buffalo

'"I'll have to sit down with the organization and the coaches in Minnesota and make the best decision for me. We have to decide if the minor leagues or college hockey is better for me."' … [Read more...] about Sabres push the Vanek button

'Scouts say Vanek can look disinterested for half the game and then just take it over with his skill. Where have we seen that before? Can anybody say Gil Perreault?' … [Read more...] about A Former Sabres Coach Dies. Buffalo Drafts An Offensive Threat

'The Sabres rounded out the day by selecting Slovakian forward Branislav Fabry with the 65th pick and center Clarke MacArthur, who played for Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League last year, at 74th.' … [Read more...] about Sabres take flashy Vanek with No. 5 pick in NHL Draft

'Vanek said he would have to be offered "maximum money" and the chance to play at the NHL level to sign quickly. Thompson, who also is the Wild's chief amateur scout, views him as a gifted player with room for growth. "There's not many people anywhere in the draft that have his qualities as an offensive player," he said. "I think he can … [Read more...] about Vanek, Parise appear likely to stay in school after draft

'With new owner Tom Golisano on the podium, Buffalo took the third-ranked North American prospect, although Vanek hails from Austria.' … [Read more...] about Sabres get Austrian LW Vanek with fifth pick