Buffalo Jr. Sabres
Encyclopedia
The Buffalo Jr. Sabres are a Junior "A" ice hockey
team from Amherst
, New York
. They are a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League.
in 1975 when the Buffalo Jr. Sabres joined the New York/Pennsylvania Junior Hockey League. The forerunner of the Jr. Sabres seems to have been the Buffalo Tondas
of the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League
. The team continued in various leagues, including The Western New York Junior Hockey League, The North American Hockey League
and the Golden Horseshoe Junior B Hockey League
, before suspending operations for one season after the 1985–1986 season. The 1985–86 season saw Buffalo balance a schedule between the Ontario Hockey Association
's Golden Horseshoe league and a split season with the NAHL.
In the 1987–1988 season the team began operating again headed by Kris Hicks (Head Coach) and Chuck Giambra (General Manager). They were now known as the Niagara Scenic and were playing a full schedule in the North American Hockey League
. The team moved to the Eastern Junior Hockey League
for the 1994–1995 season and then joined the Metro Junior A Hockey League
beginning in 1995–1996. After the Metro folded, the Scenics became the Buffalo Lightning and moved to the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League. In 2005, the Lightning made a deal with the National Hockey League
's Buffalo Sabres
to have them take up the name "Junior Sabres" again and wear the Sabres' old Blue and Gold jerseys.
In 2008 the Buffalo Jr. Sabres were bought out by the Buffalo Sabres
and the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association
. Former Buffalo Sabre Larry Playfair
took over as team president, while former Buffalo Sabre Grant Ledyard
took the reins as head coach and general manager.
In 2011, former Buffalo Sabre Michael Peca
was named General Manager in a move which would allow Ledyard greater time to focus on his role as Head Coach.
OJHL Years
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team from Amherst
Amherst, New York
Amherst is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 122,366. This represents an increase of 5.0% from the 2000 census. The town is named for Jeffrey Amherst, a British Army officer of the colonial period...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. They are a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League.
History
This franchise was established in Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
in 1975 when the Buffalo Jr. Sabres joined the New York/Pennsylvania Junior Hockey League. The forerunner of the Jr. Sabres seems to have been the Buffalo Tondas
Buffalo Tondas
The Buffalo-Glencoe Tondas are a defunct Tier II Junior "A" ice hockey team that played in Buffalo, New York and later in Glencoe, Ontario, Canada. They played in the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League.-History:Possibly became the Buffalo Jr. Sabres....
of the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League
Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League
----The Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League was a Tier II Junior "A" ice hockey that lasted from the late 1960s until 1977 in Southern Ontario, Canada. The league was swallowed by what is now called the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League in 1977....
. The team continued in various leagues, including The Western New York Junior Hockey League, The North American Hockey League
North American Hockey League
The North American Hockey League is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is enterting its 36th season in 2011-12. It is currently the only Junior A Tier II league, sanctioned by USA Hockey. The NAHL currently acts as an alternative to the United States Hockey League...
and the Golden Horseshoe Junior B Hockey League
Golden Horseshoe Junior B Hockey League
The Golden Horseshoe Junior Hockey League was a junior ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada, sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association from 1974 until 2007. As of 2007, the league has become a division of the newly formed Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League...
, before suspending operations for one season after the 1985–1986 season. The 1985–86 season saw Buffalo balance a schedule between the Ontario Hockey Association
Ontario Hockey Association
The Ontario Hockey Association is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Other Ontario sanctioning bodies along with the...
's Golden Horseshoe league and a split season with the NAHL.
In the 1987–1988 season the team began operating again headed by Kris Hicks (Head Coach) and Chuck Giambra (General Manager). They were now known as the Niagara Scenic and were playing a full schedule in the North American Hockey League
North American Hockey League
The North American Hockey League is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is enterting its 36th season in 2011-12. It is currently the only Junior A Tier II league, sanctioned by USA Hockey. The NAHL currently acts as an alternative to the United States Hockey League...
. The team moved to the Eastern Junior Hockey League
Eastern Junior Hockey League
The Eastern Junior Hockey League is an American Tier III Junior A ice hockey league. Founded in 1993 by Dan Esdale, the EJHL has fourteen teams from across the Northeastern United States. The EJHL is a member of USA Hockey, and the EJHL champion goes on to play for the National Championship...
for the 1994–1995 season and then joined the Metro Junior A Hockey League
Metro Junior A Hockey League
----The Metro Junior "A" Hockey League was a junior level ice hockey league based out of Southern Ontario. The league originated in 1956 as the Metro Junior "B" Hockey League, which lasted until 1991, when it changed its designation from Junior B to Junior A. It remained a Jr...
beginning in 1995–1996. After the Metro folded, the Scenics became the Buffalo Lightning and moved to the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League. In 2005, the Lightning made a deal with the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
's Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
to have them take up the name "Junior Sabres" again and wear the Sabres' old Blue and Gold jerseys.
In 2008 the Buffalo Jr. Sabres were bought out by the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
and the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association
Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team
The Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team is an independent barnstorming hockey team located in Buffalo, New York. Its roster consists entirely of retired National Hockey League players, mostly former members of the Buffalo Sabres...
. Former Buffalo Sabre Larry Playfair
Larry Playfair
Larry William Playfair is a retired former professional ice hockey player with a reputation as a hard-working, pugnacious defender...
took over as team president, while former Buffalo Sabre Grant Ledyard
Grant Ledyard
Grant Stuart Ledyard is a former National Hockey League defenceman. He was never drafted in the NHL Entry Draft.Ledyard made his NHL debut in the 1984–85 season with the New York Rangers. A journeyman, he played with nine NHL teams during his career. He spent the most time with the Buffalo...
took the reins as head coach and general manager.
In 2011, former Buffalo Sabre Michael Peca
Michael Peca
Michael Anthony "Mike" Peca is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward in the National Hockey League . He most recently played for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL. He has also played for the Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple...
was named General Manager in a move which would allow Ledyard greater time to focus on his role as Head Coach.
Season-by-season results
| Season | GP | W | L | T | OTL | GF | GA | P | Results | Playoffs | |
| 1983-84 | 50 | 29 | 13 | 8 | |||||||
| 66 | 1st NAHL | ||||||||||
| 1984-85 | 24 | 6 | 12 | 6 | |||||||
| 101 | 117 | 18 | 3rd NAHL | ||||||||
| 1985-86 | 40 | 29 | 9 | 2 | |||||||
| 205 | 125 | 60 | 1st GHJHL | Did Not Participate | |||||||
| 1985-86 | 24 | 6 | 14 | 4 | |||||||
| 110 | 238 | 16 | 4th NAHL | Split Season in NAHL | |||||||
| 1986-87 | Did Not Participate | ||||||||||
| 1987-88 | 32 | 16 | 12 | 4 | |||||||
| 159 | 139 | 36 | 3rd NAHL | ||||||||
| 1988-89 | 40 | 21 | 13 | 6 | |||||||
| 220 | 206 | 48 | 3rd NAHL | ||||||||
| 1989-90 | 44 | 20 | 17 | 7 | |||||||
| 192 | 215 | 47 | 4th NAHL | ||||||||
| 1990-91 | 40 | 12 | 21 | 7 | |||||||
| 31 | 6th NAHL | ||||||||||
| 1991-92 | 40 | 15 | 22 | 3 | 1 | 144 | 190 | 34 | 5th NAHL | ||
| 1992-93 | 40 | 14 | 18 | 8 | 6 | 158 | 197 | 36 | 4th NAHL | ||
| 1993-94 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 217 | 167 | 60 | 1st NAHL | ||
| 1994-95 | EJHL Standings Not Available | ||||||||||
| 1995-96 | 52 | 32 | 15 | 5 | |||||||
| 294 | 242 | 69 | 4th Metro A | Lost Semi-final | |||||||
| 1996-97 | 50 | 17 | 26 | 7 | |||||||
| 230 | 262 | 41 | 9th Metro A | ||||||||
| 1997-98 | 50 | 12 | 36 | 2 | |||||||
| 115 | 257 | 26 | 15th Metro A | ||||||||
| 1998-99 1998–99 OPJHL season The 1998–99 OPJHL season is the 6th season of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League . The thirty-seven teams of the Central, East, and West divisions competed in a 51-game schedule... |
51 | 11 | 34 | 4 | 2 | 148 | 249 | 28 | 10th OPJHL-W | ||
| 1999-00 1999–2000 OPJHL season The 1999–2000 OPJHL season is the 7th season of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League . The thirty-five teams of the North, South, East, and West divisions competed in a 49-game schedule.... |
49 | 13 | 32 | 2 | 2 | 170 | 236 | 30 | 9th OPJHL-W | ||
| 2000-01 2000–01 OPJHL season The 2000–01 OPJHL season is the 8th season of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League . The thirty-seven teams of the North, South, East, and West divisions competed in a 49-game schedule.... |
49 | 25 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 203 | 176 | 58 | 5th OPJHL-W | ||
| 2001-02 2001–02 OPJHL season The 2001–02 OPJHL season is the 9th season of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League . The thirty-six teams of the North, South, East, and West divisions competed in a 49-game schedule.... |
49 | 5 | 39 | 4 | 1 | 123 | 275 | 15 | 10th OPJHL-W | ||
| 2002-03 2002–03 OPJHL season The 2002–03 OPJHL season is the 10th season of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League . The thirty-five teams of the North, South, East, and West divisions competed in a 49-game schedule.... |
49 | 12 | 32 | 1 | 4 | 167 | 229 | 29 | 7th OPJHL-W | ||
| 2003-04 2003–04 OPJHL season The 2003–04 OPJHL season is the 11th season of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League . The thirty-five teams of the North, South, East, and West divisions competed in a 49-game schedule.... |
49 | 12 | 31 | 4 | 2 | 137 | 239 | 30 | 9th OPJHL-W | ||
| 2004-05 2004–05 OPJHL season The 2004–05 OPJHL season is the 12th season of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League . The thirty-five teams of the North, South, East, and West divisions competed in a 49-game schedule.... |
49 | 18 | 27 | 3 | 1 | 163 | 232 | 40 | 7th OPJHL-W | ||
| 2005-06 2005–06 OPJHL season -East/South:-West/North:Note: E is East, S is South, W is West, N is North, WC is Wild Card.Playoff results are listed by Pointstreak on the official league website .-Dudley Hewitt Cup Championship:... |
49 | 4 | 41 | 4 | 0 | 85 | 292 | 12 | 10th OPJHL-W | DNQ | |
| 2006-07 2006–07 OPJHL season -East/South:-West/North:Note: E is East, S is South, W is West, N is North, WC is Wild Card.Playoff results are listed by Pointstreak on the official league website .-Dudley Hewitt Cup Championship:... |
49 | 9 | 35 | 5 | 0 | 154 | 298 | 23 | 9th OPJHL-W | Lost Conf. QF | |
| 2007-08 | 49 | 15 | 30 | ||||||||
| 4 | 151 | 223 | 34 | 8th OPJHL-W | |||||||
| 2008-09 | 49 | 25 | 17 | ||||||||
| 7 | 207 | 176 | 57 | 5th OJHL-M | |||||||
| 2009-10 | 56 | 25 | 26 | ||||||||
| 4 | 198 | 218 | 54 | 10th OJAHL | DNQ | ||||||
| 2010-11 | 50 | 18 | 30 | ||||||||
| 2 | 206 | 234 | 38 | 6th OJHL-W | DNQ | ||||||
Playoffs
MetJHL Years- 1996 Lost Semi-final
- Niagara Scenic defeated Aurora TigersAurora TigersThe Aurora Tigers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Aurora, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League but also used to be a part of the Metro Junior A Hockey League, Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League, and the Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:The Aurora...
4-games-to-3 - Caledon CanadiansCaledon CanadiansThe Caledon Canadians are a defunct Junior "A" ice hockey team from Caledon, Ontario, Canada. They were a part of the Metro Junior A Hockey League and were the only team in the "Metro" to win an Ontario Hockey Association Junior "A" Championship.-History:...
defeated Niagara Scenic 4-games-to-none- 1997 Lost Preliminary
- Wexford Raiders defeated Niagara Scenic 4-games-to-none
- 1998 DNQ
OJHL Years
- 1999 DNQ
- 2000 DNQ
- 2001 Lost Division Quarter-final
- Mississauga ChargersMississauga ChargersThe Mississauga Chargers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League. They are the product of a 1990 merger of two former Metro Junior B franchises, the Thornhill Thunderbirds and the Markham Connection...
defeated Buffalo Lightning 4-games-to-2- 2002 DNQ
- 2003 Lost Division Semi-final
- Buffalo Lightning defeated Hamilton Kiltys 4-games-to-2
- Milton Merchants defeated Buffalo Lightning 4-games-to-none
- 2004 Lost Division Quarter-final
- St. Michael's BuzzersSt. Michael's BuzzersThe St. Michael's Buzzers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of Central Canadian Hockey League.-History:...
defeated Buffalo Lightning 4-games-to-none- 2005 Lost Division Quarter-final
- Oakville BladesOakville BladesThe Oakville Blades are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Oakville, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
defeated Buffalo Jr. Sabres 4-games-to-none- 2006 DNQ
- 2007 Lost Division Quarter-final
- Aurora TigersAurora TigersThe Aurora Tigers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Aurora, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League but also used to be a part of the Metro Junior A Hockey League, Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League, and the Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:The Aurora...
defeated Buffalo Jr. Sabres 4-games-to-none- 2008 DNQ
- 2009 Lost Division Quarter-final
- Vaughan VipersVaughan Vipers----The Vaughan Vipers are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League.-History:...
defeated Buffalo Jr. Sabres 3-games-to-2- 2010 DNQ
- 2011 DNQ
Notable alumni
- Brian GiontaBrian GiontaBrian Joseph Gionta is an American professional ice hockey player and captain of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League , and is the second American-born captain of the Canadiens and its first sole American-born captain...
- Todd MarchantTodd MarchantTodd Marchant is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League . He played nine seasons with the Edmonton Oilers and almost six seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, along with just over a season with the Columbus Blue Jackets and a game with the...
- Aaron MillerAaron MillerAaron Michael Miller is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman. Over the course of his fourteen year career in the National Hockey League, Miller played for four teams: the Quebec Nordiques, who eventually relocated and became the Colorado Avalanche, the Los Angeles Kings, and the...
- Ryan CallahanRyan CallahanRyan Callahan is an American ice hockey forward and captain of the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:Callahan played one year of high school hockey for Hilton High School...
- Morris TitanicMorris TitanicMorris S. Titanic is a retired former National Hockey League ice hockey player. He was selected 12th overall in the 1973 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres...
- former head coach - Frank Downing Jr. Former Captain Of Michigan
- Lee StempniakLee StempniakLee Stempniak is an American professional ice hockey player who currently plays in the NHL for the Calgary Flames wearing jersey number 22. Stempniak graduated from St...
- Kevyn AdamsKevyn AdamsKevyn W. Adams is a retired professional ice hockey center in the National Hockey League who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, Phoenix Coyotes and the Chicago Blackhawks, and is currently the Associate Coach for the Buffalo Sabres...