The Buffalo Sabres held a press conference this afternoon to introduce the newest addition to their stable of young guns - and it was none other than South Buffalo’s own Tim Kennedy, who signed a two year entry level contract with the team, after completing his junior year with the Michigan State Spartans. The 22 year old Kennedy was originally drafted by the Washington Capitals in 2005, but his rights were then obtained by the Sabres via trade that same day.

Kennedy grew up a Sabres fan, admitting that his favorite player that he wished to emulate was Detroit’s Steve Yzerman. But from the Sabres? “Around here it was hard not to like (Alexander) Mogilny and Pat Lafontaine.”

Ask where he would fit in on the team, Kennedy replied, “I like to think I’m an all around player. I can score if I need to. I can be a 3rd or 4th line player. I will do whatever it takes.” Kennedy can play center or left wing.

Recalling draft day in 2005, Kennedy thought that his friends were playing a practical joke on him when he first learned that his rights were acquired by the Buffalo Sabres. “But then a person who works for the Sabres called me to tell me it really happened. Then a half hour later I get a call from Mr. Regier and he confirmed that I had been traded and I thought it was awesome.”

General Manager Darcy Regier seemed very pleased with the work accomplished in the past month. “We’re very excited. Tim, Nathan Gerbe and Dennis Persson. It’s a nice crew that will fit together very nicely here.” Talking about the upcoming training camp, Regier responded, “I think it will be very interesting. These are good players. They will push our forwards. We have a lot of forwards. So I think that we’ll have some decisions to make and they will be good decisions.”

Regier stated that Persson will remain in the Swedish Elite League this coming season before coming to North America, as will Philippe Gogulla, who participated in last year’s training camp. Regier also revealed that an announcement regarding the Sabres’ American Hockey League affiliate will be forthcoming. “We’re moving closer to announcement. I don’t have an exact date” said Regier. “It won’t be weeks away, it will be days away probably.”

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