Amerks

By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA He has gone from part-time player without a full-time position to a mid-season look-see at what the NHL is all about. Not a bad one-year progression for Casey Fitzgerald. And while Fitzgerald wasn't added to the Buffalo Sabres active roster during his six-day stint on the taxi squad in late February, he did at least end up with a stronger sense that … [Read more...] about Fitzgerald, Amerks defeat Utica

By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA He had been waiting more than seven weeks to play a game, what with an on-hold junior season, his not yet being ready to play in the NHL and COVID-19 quarantine protocols. So when Jack Quinn finally got on the ice on Thursday night with the Rochester Americans, he made sure it was well worth the wait. Quinn, the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NHL … [Read more...] about Quinn shows off skills as Amerks defeat Utica

By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Sometimes, Steven Fogarty will admit, it is better to be lucky than good. Wednesday's night's abbreviated overtime period was proof, when Fogarty's goal provided a 4-3 victory for the Rochester Americans. About 85 seconds into the extra period, Fogarty found himself alone with the puck in the deep slot, only to be robbed by Syracuse Crunch goalie … [Read more...] about Fogarty’s fluke OT goal provides victory for Amerks

By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA It was odd to be sure, from the eerie emptiness of the arena to the players during the roster introduction pretending to acknowledge the applause of the fans who didn't exist. From the spray-bottle disinfecting of the boards, glass, benches and penalty boxes between periods to nothing but the sound of the fog horn after goals by the home team. But it … [Read more...] about There was finally Amerks hockey again, strange as it was

By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA He had just been fired after 11 years at what had been a dream job, being the head coach at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. But before Seth Appert could really ask himself, "What now?", former Rochester Americans assistant coach John Wroblewski was providing an answer. Wroblewski, a head coach with the United States National Team Development Program (NTDP), … [Read more...] about New Amerks coach Appert ready for challenge of development while winning