I've been around the Buffalo Sabres for a long time.
I feel a sense of pride when I see former Sabres players make successful transitions from playing life to professional and personal life.
I feel nostalgic the Buffalo Sabres because of the inimitable emotional attachment and bond between the players and the fans. Buffalo is a big city inside a small town that acts like a little village in the banks of where Lake Erie converges with The Mighty Niagara.
Hockey is a lifestyle here. This is our life.
I remember covering a 20 year old Phil Housley when he terrorized Adams Division rivals at Tne Aud. I'm tickled that Housley is the new head coach of the Buffalo Sabres.
I love it that my buddy Jay McKee coached Connor McDavid at the Erie Otters and now has become an excellent head coach of the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL.
I'm thrilled that Pierre Turgeon is now an assistant coach for the LA Kings after playing 20+ seasons in the NHL. I'll never forget sitting and speaking in The Aud locker room with the 18 year old version of Turgeon. He was the first overall pick at the 1987 NHL Entry Draft.
I love it that Rob Ray is as popular a broadcaster as he was a brawler.
Brad May caught my imagination first time I saw him drop the mitts and pound a fool during a game for the Niagara Falls Thunder. "May Day" would later become a Sabres first round draft choice and a household name and fan favorite.
Skating with and getting chirped hard by Sir Andrew Peters at shinny games on Saturday mornings is a highlight of my week.
It's great to see former Sabres captain Michael Peca succeeding in the youth hockey ranks and in the business community.
I consider it a great honor and privilege to interact often with Sabres alums Rick Dudley, Larry Carriere, Don Lever ( and others) who are now serving as high ranking front office employees of other NHL franchises.
Over the years, I have developed a fond appreciation for putting aside the hockey cliches and instead preferring to talk with Danny Briere, Thomas Vanek, Ryan Miller, Brian Campbell, Steve Ott and Jason Pominville about their growing families.
The boys are not "boys" anymore.
They have grown into men. They are husbands and fathers. They have started families and have developed into mature, reliable, respected adults.
I get a kick out of joking with Sabres alums about the grey hair in their beards.
I'm especially happy today for old friend Martin Biron who recently turned 40.
40??!
What the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks!!
I remember like it was yesterday Biron tormenting and chirping then teammate Brian "Soupie" Campbell by calling him "Youpie" in the room. "Youpie" was the red headed mascot for the now defunct Montreal Expos MLB club.
I'm getting old!
It seems like yesterday that I was backstage at Buffalo's legendary nightclub, The Pier, at "Kiss The Summer Hello 2000" with Biron and a bunch of his Sabres teammates. The boys were in the VIP area asmiring then unknown, up-and-coming pop vocalists Beyoncé (then lead singer of Destiny's Child), Jessica Simpson, Mandy Moore. Great time.
In June 2000, Biron made the day of my daughter and nephew when the young Sabres goalie sat next us at the Britney Spears/Aaron Carter concert at Darien Lake. Marty talked with the kids and made them feel like rocks stars.
Marty is a rock star.
Today, Spears is holding down a residency at a casino in Las Vegas.
I vividly remember when Marty Biron made his NHL debut for the Buffalo Sabres. The then 18 year old rookie was literally thrown from the frying pan to the fire when he was forced to start his first NHL game, on the road, against several future Hall Of Famers.
It was an unhappy Boxing Day. Biron rolled with the punches and used it as a learning tool.
Biron had been playing for then QMJHL team the Beaufort Harfangs when he was called up to play three games for the Sabres between late December 1995 to early January 1996.
It December 26, 1995. The Pittsburgh Penguins, featuring Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, and Ron Francis struck for 4 goals on just 24 shots, chasing the blue eyed rookie to the bench in the second period only to be thrown back in the cage later in the game. The trio of Super Mario, Jagr and Francis combined for 3 goals and 9 points.
The next night, against the Ottawa Senators, Biron allowed another 4 goals on 34 shots faced. His final game of his rookie campaign was on January 6, 2016 against the Montreal Canadiens where he played just 19:26 TOI after replacing legend John Blue. Biron allowed 2 goals on 6 shots faced in that fateful night.
Biron has come a long way in the past 22 years.
He played 508 career games, 300 with the Sabres. He won 230 games, lost 191 games, and posted 28 shutouts. His career goals against average was 2.61 and his save percentage was a respectable .910.
Biron was the Buffalo Sabres first round pick in the 1995 NHL Draft.
In 2007, Biron was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers and led hia team to the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals. Biron went on to play for the NY Islanders and NY Rangers, retiring from the NHL on October 20, 2013, almost 19 years after playing his first NHL game.
In his retirement from the NHL, Biron has transitioned nicely to the broadcast booth. Biron has forged a unique style that is equal parts entertainer and analytical thinker. He's engaging, funny, and never at a loss for strong opinions.
Thanks, Sabres.com
On Tuesday, Biron broke news on "The Instigators" program that he is joining the Buffalo Sabres broadcast team.
Biron's primary role will be to serve as an analyst alongside incumbent host Brian Duff during the Buffalo Sabres pregame, intermission and postgame portions of the broadcast.
"Marty makes what I consider one of the NHL's best broadcasts even better," Preisler said. "He has remained rooted in Buffalo since his playing days, while growing into an accomplished broadcaster with TSN and the NHL Network, and has been a huge part of the Academy of Hockey's success. Marty is passionate about the game of hockey and will educate our fans with an inside look."
In addition to his work as pregame, intermission and postgame analyst, Biron will provide in-game analysis at select times both at ice level and in the broadcast booth.
Biron will continue to work as a contributor to "The Instigators" radio show. Biron will produce insightful content for Sabres.com. He will also continue his work with the Academy of Hockey, where he is a goalie coach and mentor.
"I grew up in the Sabres organization and Buffalo has always had a big place in my heart," Biron said. "Western New York has been my home since I was 20 years old, and my family and I are thrilled to begin this opportunity with the Sabres. I look forward to continuing to connect with the fans who supported me throughout my playing career."