Amerks head coach to leave to become new assistant coach with Buffalo Sabers

ROCHESTER, NY — After four seasons with the Rochester Amerks, head coach Seth Appert will leave his position to become an assistant coach with the Buffalo Sabres.

The Amerks made the announcement Monday, saying the search for his replacement would begin immediately. Appert is just the seventh coach in Amerks history to reach 100 career wins.

The announcement comes after the Amerks fell to the Syracuse Crunch on Friday night in Game 5 of a playoff series, ending their season. Appert led the Amerks to three straight postseason appearances, including an Eastern Conference Final appearance in 2023 that became the team’s longest postseason run in nearly 20 years. Appert also led the team to three straight 30+ win seasons.

In a statement, Appert said he was grateful for his time in Rochester. “I loved being American. I am grateful to our fans and the players and coaches with whom we were able to create a family atmosphere.

Appert said he was excited to work alongside Sabers head coach Lindy Ruff, who returns as the team’s coach after the team fired former head coach Dom Granato. Granato was fired after the Sabres’ playoff drought reached 13 seasons, the longest drought in the NHL.

“I am incredibly excited to join Lindy’s staff with the Buffalo Sabres,” Appert said. “It gives me the privilege to continue the work we have done in Rochester over the past four years to move our organization to where we all want it to be.”

During his time with the Amerks, Appert helped develop some of the Sabres’ top prospects, including Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka, Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen.