Patrick Roy must have a bittersweet taste in his mouth right about now. His most prized pupils, Mikhail Grigorenko, has just earned a roster spot with the Buffalo Sabres. Roy’s Quebec Remparts are mired in a season-high four game losing streak and could sure use an infusion of Grigorenko’s offense trickery to help bust the ugly slump that is plaguing his team.
Sorry, Patrick. You’ll have to rely on you other young stars like Adam Erne and Nick Sorensen to dig you out of the icy ditch on the side of the highway.
Grigo is a Buffalo Sabre now.
He’ll make his NHL debut on NBC’s national broadcast of the Sabres-Flyers on Sunday afternoon.
Big player. Big stage. Best hockey league in the world.
Grigo’s not in Quebec City anymore. He’s made it all the way from Russia, to the NHL, after a valuable pit stop in Quebec City.
The eighteen year old phenom, has created quite a buzz in Buffalo since the first day of Sabres training camp last Sunday. Grigo has been on an upward trajectory since his first pro hockey training camp began. This kid is too good to play junior hockey. He’s been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. Speaking of shirts.. Grigo’s #25 blue and gold Sabres sweater sold out immediately at the Sabres store at First Niagara Center when the doors opened to the public on Monday. The Sabres offered a very generous 50% discount on all items in the store, and Grigo’s sweater was the one in hottest demand by Sabres faithful of all ages. The Sabres haven’t seen a prospect the likes of Grigo since Alexander Mogilny in 1989, and Pierre Turgeon in 1987.
He scored 29 goals and 50 points in 30 games Quebec City earlier this season. He’s proven himself to be the big, skilled, and reliable centre man that he was projected to be last June at the NHL draft. His new Buffalo linemate, Steve Ott, told me on Monday night after the White vs. Blue scrimmage that “he (Grigo) is a boy inside a man’s body. He’s big and has great skills. He has superstar written all over him”. That’s high praise from a tough-as-leather, 30 year old NHL veteran. Ott’s not one to blow sunshine up you-know-what. Ott’s shooting straight from the hip.
Now its Grigo’s turn to light the lamp with his trademark wrister. Having a scoring third line that can defend is of high importance to Lindy Ruff. Hopefully, Grigo’s youthful enthusiasm and his supreme skills will act as jumper cables and kick start Ville Leino. Steve Ott will love driving the blue ice looking for the loose change that Grigo and Leino leave on the ice.
Patrick Roy will have to learn to live with Grigorenko.
Sabres fans will ahve to get used to having the Russian Rifle in town.
Sabres GM Darcy Regier breaks th enews that Grigo is staying in Buffalo:
Thanks, sabres.com
Lindy Ruff likes the way that Grigo defnds for being a young kid. The coach is obviously impressed.
Thanks, sabres.com
Grigorenko's impressive list of accomplishments. The kid is ONLY 18!!
Season Awards by season
2010-2011 MHL Champion
U18 WJC Bronze Medal
U18 WJC Most Assists (14)
2011-2012 CHL Rookie of the Year
CHL Top Prospects Game
QMJHL All-Rookie Team
QMJHL Best Professional Prospect "Mike Bossy Trophy"
QMJHL First All-Star Team
QMJHL Most Goals by Rookie (40)
QMJHL Most Points by Rookie (85)
QMJHL Offensive Rookie of the Year "Michel Bergeron Trophy"
QMJHL Rookie of the Year
U20 WJC Silver Medal
2012-2013 U20 WJC Bronze Medal
U20 WJC Top 3 Player on Team
Awards by league
- CHL Rookie of the Year 11/12
- CHL Top Prospects Game 11/12
- MHL Champion 10/11
- QMJHL All-Rookie Team 11/12
- QMJHL Best Professional Prospect "Mike Bossy Trophy" 11/12
- QMJHL First All-Star Team 11/12
- QMJHL Most Goals by Rookie 11/12
- QMJHL Most Points by Rookie 11/12
- QMJHL Offensive Rookie of the Year "Michel Bergeron Trophy" 11/12
- QMJHL Rookie of the Year 11/12
- U18 WJC Bronze Medal 10/11
- U18 WJC Most Assists 10/11
- U20 WJC Bronze Medal 12/13
- U20 WJC Silver Medal 11/12
- U20 WJC Top 3 Player on Team 12/13
Join the Discussion:
»