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I'm at Erie Insurance Arena in Erie, PA to scout and to watch Game 1 of the OHL semi-finals between the Erie Otters and London Knights.
Yes. Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray is here right now. He is accompanied by a Sabres scout. Believe it or not, Murray is here to watch players not named McDavid.
Murray likes Otters D Travis Dermott who is a swift skating, smart D-man who can play the grind game and runs a great power play. Murray is also keeping tabs on Otters power forward Nick Betz, among other players.
Murray isn't the only NHL dignitary in the house tonight. There are a ton of scouts and front office types here.
Just checked the RSVP sheet here are the teams repped here in Erie: BUF, ARI, LA, COL, PIT, CHI, CBJ, DAL, MIN, NJ, SJ, TB, TOR, WPG
— SabresBuzz (@SabresBuzz) April 9, 2015
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Dear Buffalo Sabres arena DJ, please play Harry Nilsson's "Lottery Song" during warm-ups at Saturday night's season finale at FNC.
Great song. Great artist. Inspiring message.
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Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan has played 78 games for his club this season.
His toughness and physical fitness routine are now legendary in the NHL. He was the seventh overall pick in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft and he is still kicking butt and taking names today.
Here are his career games played:
1995-96: 74 games Winnipeg 1996-97: 63 games Winnipeg 1997-98: 33 games Phoenix/39 games Springfield (AHL) 1998-99: 79 games 1999-00: 81 games 2000-01: 76 games 2001-02: 81 games 2002-03: 82 games 2003-04: 79 games 2004-05: 82 games 2005-06: 73 games 2006-07: 73 games 2007-08: 80 games 2008-09: 82 games 2009-10: 82 games 2010-11: 72 games 2011-12: 79 games 2012-13: 48 games 2013-14: 69 games 2014-15: 78 games
He has scored 14 goals and added 22 assists this season.
Its a bit peculiar that Doan won't play tonight. The guy simply doesn't miss games. He plays injured all the time. Throwback NHLers like Doan will tell you that if the bone ain't poking through the skin, then you are playing".
Doan is a scratch for tonight's game vs. Vancouver.
Inquiring minds want to know.
Was the grizzled veteran winger shut down due to injury, or, was he given the night off by management?
UPDATE: Captain Shane Doan will not play tonight at @VanCanucks because of lower-body injury. He is day-to-day.
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) April 9, 2015
Doan played 10:13 TOI in Tuesday night's 3-2 loss to the Calgary Flames.
He has one more year remaining on his current contract.
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I'm sitting outside of Erie Insurance Arena in Erie, PA as I write this.
The Erie Otters and London Knights will continue their journey to the 2015 Memorial Cup championship with Game 1 of their second round series tonight.
It's a driving rain storm outside. The skies are crying still for the sudden death of former Erie Otters star and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Steve Montador who died unexpectedly at his Toronto area home in February. The recently retired Montador was just 35 years young at the time of his passing.
Today, the Buffalo Sabres today announced the team will be taking part in launching a scholarship fund in memory of "Monty".
The Steve Montador “Dream Big… Scholarship Fund has been formed with an initial $10,000 donation furnished by the Sabres, the Buffalo Sabres Foundation, the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association, current Sabres players and former Sabres managing partner/minority owner Larry Quinn.
The “Dream Big… moniker stems from a favorite phrase of Montador’s, one that he used when signing autographs for fans. The phrase’s message will be used as a guide in shaping the direction of the scholarship fund, which will be overseen by a board that includes Montador’s father, Paul.
"Steve had such an uplifting personality, always trying to help others around him and encourage them to achieve their best,… said Paul Montador. “This fund is the exact way Steve would want to be remembered, as a way to support people and inspire them to achieve their dreams. I am very grateful that the Sabres have gotten the ball rolling in terms of fundraising and we know this is just the beginning of a tremendous program that will honor Steve’s legacy by helping others.…
More specific details of the scholarship fund, as well as the naming of additional board members, are still in the planning stages and will be announced soon. Donations to the scholarship fund can also be made at Sabres.com/dreambig.
Montador played two seasons with the Sabres, in 2009-10 and 2010-11. During his nine-year NHL career, he also played for the Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks.
Rest in peace, Monty.
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