Sabres In Focus

Ryan Miller- Ryan Miller was drafted in the fifth round (138th overall) by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, and what a pick he has been. Miller has opened eyes around the entire NHL, proving that he can be considered one of the best in the league.

Miller grew up in East Lansing, Michigan, where he attended college at Michigan State University. His brother, Drew Miller, currently plays for the Red Wings. Miller set an NCAA record with 26 career shutouts and won the Hobey Baker Award back in 2001.

In the 2005-2006 season, Miller began establishing himself as a number one goaltender in the NHL. After the lockout, Miller helped lead the Sabres to the Eastern Conference finals two years in a row.

Since he has been in the league, Miller continues to make highlight reel saves. Many argue that he is, or will be, better than former Sabres goaltender Dominik Hasek. Miller has yet to have less than 30 wins in a season, and had 40 in the 2006-2007 season. Continue reading

Tyler Myers- Buffalo had an amazing pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft when they chose  6 foot 8 inches Tyler Myers. The 19 year old rookie made an impression the moment he started playing for the Sabres.

Buffalo traded up one spot with the L.A. Kings in order to get Myers. They wanted him on the team badly. If they hadn’t trade, there is a good chance he would not be on the Buffalo Sabres right now.

He made the team immediately and showed what he can do early on. Lindy Ruff had ten games to determine whether or not to send him down to Portland. Liking what he saw, Ruff chose to keep on the team.

Myers is making an impression and has already become a fan favorite in Buffalo. At the age of 19, he is already an amazing defenseman. People know he will be even better down the road. The scary thing is that he is still six or seven years away from his prime. Continue reading

Jason Pominville- The Pominville population has continued to grow in Western New York and beyond. Jason has become a fan favorite in Buffalo, earning him his very own section in HSBC Arena.

The fans keep track of his goals every season with a sign that reads “Pominville Population”, adding a goal every time the winger scores.

Pominville was drafted in the second round (55th overall) in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. To begin the 2005-2006 season, Pominville was waived by the Sabres. After clearing waivers, Pominville went down to the minors until he was called up a couple months into the season. Continue reading

Clarke MacArthur- He was drafted in the third round (74th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. In his first season with the Rochester Americans, MacArthur accumulated 53 points in 69 games. He was called up by the Sabres to make his NHL debut on December 19th, 2006.

It took MacArthur four games to record his first NHL point. Not only was it rare to see him get an assist, but the goal was scored by Andrew Peters. On February 22nd, 2007, MacArthur scored his first career NHL goal against the Ottawa Senators.

“I got to Montreal on the morning of the game,” MacArthur said. “I have absolutely no clue where I’m going, or where I’m supposed to enter the building. I’m in the back of a cab, and the cabby only speaks French. I only speak English.” It was about this time that MacArthur saw his savior. Continue reading