I'm proud to call former Buffalo Sabre Andrew Peters a friend. Number 76 was a boss on the ice during his NHL career. Petey played a heavy, honest game on the ice. He was a great guy in the room with his infectious sense of humor and his uncanny ability to quote and role play every comedy movie made by Hollywood since 1975.
Peters' reputation is legendary around the NHL. He is a bit of a folk hero in Buffalo for his dedication to charity work and his frequent involvement in the Sabres' Alumni Association.
Like dozens of former Sabres, Petey continues to call Buffalo his home in retirement.
I'm especially happy for the success that "Petey" has enjoyed the past few years in his new career as a broadcaster. I admire and respect how excellent a broadcaster Andrew has become in such a short amount of time. I think that Peters has the chops and the knowledge to be a top analyst on TSN or Sportsnet. Yes. He is THAT good because he practices his craft everyday and he doesn't take himself too seriously.
I listen to Peters daily from 10am to Noon and I encourage you to do the same.
Andrew is the host of "Sabres Hockey Hotline" on WGR radio in Buffalo. Former Sabres captain Craig Rivet is Petey's wing man. Matthew Coller is the third man on the mic. Petey deftly distributes the puck to his linies and puts them in position to score listener engagement goals.
Two weeks ago, San Jose Sharks captain Joe Pavelski phoned in to the show to chat up Petey and Rivs about his team's Game 7 win over Lindy Ruff's Dallas Stars. Rivet played a good chunk of his NHL career with the Sharks and he still has great friendships in NoCal .
Rivet was so connected to San Jose that he was reluctant to accept the trade that sent him to Buffalo. To here him tell it, he loved his time in San Jose so much that he didn't want to leave there. Rivet's affinity for his boys in the SJ room is evident. He keeps in touch with his former teammates. Now that he is a broadcaster, Rivet is booking his buds on the radio show with he and Petey.
I love the show for its organic, raw, real sensibilities. If Rivs had his way, there would be chilly cervezas and nachos served to the boys during the show. Three guys talking puck for two hours with interviews and guests from around the NHL.
On Thursday, the boys dangled and scored top shelf with perhaps their best interview ever when San Jose Shark legend and future Hall Of Famer Joe Thornton phoned in to speak about his team's Game 6 victory over the St. Louis Blues that punched their ticket to their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance in the team's 25 year history. Before the Game 6 victory, Thornton was considered the Susan Lucci of the NHL. Always the runner up to the eventual winner of the Emmy Award.
Thornton and his Sharks teammates are no longer the bridesmaids. They are the brides. It took countless heartaches and a deluge of dejection over the years, however, Thornton and his Sharks teammates have persevered. Now, they have broken on through to the other side.
I loved Thornton before hearing him on the radio with Petey and Rivs. I love him more today. Such a cool cat. Thornton is a purely humble, polite, gentleman. Oh, by the way. Thornton is one of the best players to lace up his skates in the NHL the past 18 seasons. Thornton is the total package. He does it all, exceptionally well, I might add.
I hope Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau, Logan Couture, Brent Burns, Martin Jones and the Sharks win the Stanley Cup.
This is an excellent conversation between Jumbo, Petey, & Rivs.
Thanks, WGR
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