Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Goodbye to The Joe and Hello Jims on the Buffalo Sabres

Before we meet the Jims, let's say goodbye to The Joe in Detroit with Sabres' head coach Dan Bylsma.

After reading my tweet below, I think you'll see why I could be considered a gym rat but not a Jim Ralph. ⬅️⬅️He was the radio color commentator of the Toronto Maple Leafs for many years.


Here is my list of some famous Jims who played for the Buffalo Sabres:

Jim Schoenfeld - Drafted fifth overall in 1972, the defenseman made the Sabres Hall of Fame in 1995. He played eleven seasons in Buffalo and even coached the team for half a season in the mid-'80's.

Jim Lorentz - Made the Sabres Hall of Fame in 2010. In six seasons (1971 - '78) with the Sabres, Jim racked up 134 goals, 197 assists and 331 points in 487 games. He retired as the color commentator for the Sabres after 26 years in 2007.

James Patrick - He finished his NHL playing career with six seasons in Buffalo (1998 - 2004). The defenseman became an assistant coach in 2006 with the Sabres and remained in that role until 2013. He followed the former Sabres head coach, Lindy Ruff, to Dallas.

Val James played ten games (including the playoffs) for Buffalo in 1981-82. He was the first African-American to play in the NHL when he debuted with the Sabres, although he was not the first black player. He was preceded by several black Canadians, starting with Willie O'Ree.

Jim Watson - This defenseman was around for the Sabres first two seasons in the NHL (1970 - '72).

Jim Korn - Another D-man, he played almost 600 NHL games between 1979 - 1990. His lone season in Buffalo ('86-'87) saw him score four goals.

Not on the list: Jimmy Vesey, the Hobey Baker Award winner as the most outstanding US collegiate player last year at Harvard. The Sabres had a chance to sign him but he decided to join the New York Rangers this season.

Not so famous...
Jim Hofford - Another defenseman, he played seventeen career games with the Sabres and one with the LA Kings over three seasons (1985 - '89). He is a member of the Rochester Americans Hall of Fame. They are Buffalo's main farm team.

Jim Jackson played over 100 NHL games as a right winger with Calgary and Colorado. Later in his career, he got two goals in five games with Buffalo in 1987-88. He is also a member of the Rochester Americans Hall of Fame.

James Black played over 350 NHL games with 6 teams between 1989 and 2001. Defense was his position and only two games to his credit with the Sabres in 1993-94.

Jim Walsh was in the lineup for the Sabres in 1981-82. He was another blueliner with four games on his resume.

So, what does the list of Jims look like on your favorite sports team?