FIVE AMERKS GRADUATES AMONG SABRES OPENING NIGHT ROSTER
Oct 13, 2022By Suzie Cool
Earlier this week, the Buffalo Sabres announced their Opening Night roster, which included five Rochester Americans players from just last season. Forwards JJ Peterka, Peyton Krebs, Jack Quinn and defensemen Casey Fitzgerald and Mattias Samuelsson all spent extensive time with the Amerks during the 2021-22 campaign.
“I texted the five last night (Monday) – Quinner, JJ, Krebsy, Sammy, Fitzy – the five guys that have spent a lot of time, or extensive time, here with us in Rochester just to let them know how proud I was of them,” commented Amerks head coach Seth Appert when asked how rewarding it was to see his former players make an Opening Night roster in the NHL.
Here’s a look at what exactly these five players did with their time in Rochester, and Buffalo, just last season.
CASEY FITZGERALD
Fitzgerald really came into his own last year, spending ample time in Buffalo and appearing in 28 games with Rochester as one of the most critical pieces on its blueline. In his time with the Amerks in the regular season, Fitzgerald went on to post career-highs with 12 points and four goals.
On Dec. 17 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Fitzgerald laced up his skates and took the ice with the Sabres for the first of an extended 36-game stay last year. From then on, Fitzgerald was a mainstay in Buffalo for a majority of the season, racking up six assists for six points and 36 penalty minutes.
In the playoffs with Rochester, Fitzgerald ended the postseason run tied for the scoring lead among defensemen with seven points on two goals and five assists in nine games.
PEYTON KREBS
Krebs tallied 15 points on four goals and 11 assists in 18 regular-season games with the Amerks last year upon being acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in November. Krebs then went on to play his final 48 games of the year for Buffalo, tallying 22 points on seven goals and 15 assists.
With 11 assists through his 10 playoff appearances, eight of which came in his last seven games, Krebs ended the Amerks playoff run second amongst all AHL rookies in assists while his 11 points ranked third among all rookies.
JJ PETERKA
Buffalo’s second-round choice (34th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft, Peterka ended the regular season leading all AHL rookies with 68 points in 70 games. Peterka, who turned 20 in January, also ranked first among rookies, and fifth overall, with 223 shots on goal. Peterka also ranked first among all first-year players in with his 28 goals and third with his 40 assists.
His 68 points in the 2021-22 regular season were the most by an AHL player in his U-20 season since Guy Chouinard had 80 points as a 19-year-old with Nova Scotia in 1975-76. He’s also the first Amerks rookie to reach the 60-point mark since Thomas Vanek had 68 points (42+26) in 74 games during the 2004-05 season.
During the Amerks postseason push, Peterka continued to tear things up, tallying 12 points over 10 games in the 2022 Calder Cup playoffs. Prior to the Amerks final loss in the North Division finals, he was leading all AHL rookies with five goals and 10 points in the postseason.
Additionally, the native of Munich, Germany, made his NHL debut with Buffalo last season, appearing in two games with the Sabres.
MATTIAS SAMUELSSON
In 2021-22 with Rochester, Samuelsson tallied 15 points on two goals and 13 assists in 22 AHL contests. Samuelsson then went on to add 10 assists in 42 games with the Sabres, at times playing on the top defensive pair alongside defenseman Rasmus Dahlin.
When the Amerks entered postseason play, Samuelsson was assigned to Rochester to join the team during their 2022 Calder Cup Playoff run. Unfortunately, Samuelsson was day-to-day with a lower-body injury throughout the duration of Rochester’s postseason push.
JACK QUINN
In addition to being one of two Amerks named to this year’s AHL All-Rookie Team, Quinn was tabbed the winner of the Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding rookie for the 2021-22 season. Quinn became the first Amerk to earn Rookie of the Year honors since goaltender Mika Noronen in 1999-2000.
Quinn, the Buffalo Sabres’ eighth overall pick in 2020, tied for third among all first-year players with 26 goals and ranked fourth with his 61 points despite only appearing in 45 games last year. The young forward also ranked second among all rookies, and eighth overall in the AHL, with 1.36 points per game while his team-high 10 power-play goals were second-most among all first-year skaters.
Additionally, Quinn became the 101st AHL player last season to make his NHL debut when he took the ice against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Jan. 11. Quinn finished the night with a team-high three shots and six shot attempts while earning 16:30 of total ice time. Quinn then returned to the Sabres a day after scoring his 18th goal of the season for Rochester and was rewarded with his first two NHL points, including a goal against Vezina Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champion Braden Holtby in the Sabres’ 5-4 loss to the Dallas Stars on Jan 20.
During the regular season, Quinn was held scoreless just 14 times and had not gone more than two games without recording a point. He also recorded a team-leading 19 multi-point performances last year.
Each of these players proved to be a critical piece to the culture and winning environment in Rochester last season. Never thinking that they were too good to be with the Amerks, just ready to get the job done when needed and continuing to grow and improve their games until called upon by Buffalo. A perfect example of how newcomers should frame their mindset in order to make it to the NHL.
“I really enjoyed coaching all five of those guys,” said Appert when talking about the number of former Amerks on the Sabres roster. “I'm proud of how hard they worked to become what they are and they're a great example. They were fully invested in being Amerks. As motivated as they were to get to the NHL, they were invested here playing for this organization, trying to help this organization win, winning a couple of rounds in the playoffs, being great teammates and developing lifelong friendships with guys. They're a great example of doing it the right way here on their way to something else.”
Congratulations Quinner, JJ, Krebsy, Sammy and Fitzy. Rochester is so proud.