The Buffalo Sabres Development Camp comes to an end.
By Ryan J. Harr
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Just over a calendar year ago, Randy Sexton was hired as the Buffalo Sabres Assistant General Manager and General Manager of the Rochester Americans. Four days later, Chris Taylor was named the 32nd coach in franchise history.
Less than a few weeks after accepting their respective jobs, both had to help operate the annual Buffalo Sabres Development Camp. The task was a daunting one, as the duo were in roles they never held before, and for Sexton, it was with a completely new organization.
Now in nearing the end of their second go-around with the week-long camp, the two have been pleased with what they have seen so far going into Saturday’s French Tournament, an intra-squad 3-on-3 tournament, which begins at 10:45 a.m.
“We want to have a work-like environment,” said Sexton. “We are striving to have a culture that is positive, upbeat and it fun. To have a human element, it positively helps people get through the difficult and challenging times.”
More than 40 Sabres prospects, including all six draft picks from last weekend’s NHL Draft, were invited for the organization’s four-day long summer development camp. The camp, now in its seventh straight year and third at HarborCenter, is designed to introduce prospective players to the Sabres’ playing system while providing them with the necessary tools and conditioning programs in order to be successful at hockey’s highest level.
“This camp is to learn how to be a professional,” explained Taylor. “These guys are young and some guys have been here for two or three years, but sometimes it does not always sink in. We try to help them with things like how to prepare both on and off the ice, eating the right food during the season compared to the off-season. It’s a good to bring all the prospects together because it’s not an evaluation. We are just trying to show them some tools to work on over the rest of summer and before training camp.”
As the camp is drawing to an end, Sexton and the front office staff have been happy with everything they have seen from the players while also getting to know the players.
“I am very pleased,” Sexton said. “Jason (Botterill) was hired just before the (NHL) Draft last year. Then I and Steve (Greeley) came on board a few days before development camp, so we did not have really much input or say on the camp. However, this year, with a full year in our roles, we have been able to recruit free agents, get some high-quality junior kids and supplement that depth in the organization. In our opinion, we believe this is one of the deepest development camps that Buffalo has had in a many years.”