Buffalo Sabers hire new coach for Rochester

American Hockey League affiliate Buffalo Sabers hires new head coach
“Michael Leone named 34th head coach in the 68-year history of the Rochester Americans”.

The Buffalo Sabres’ developmental team, the Rochester Americans, have signed Michael Leone to a head coaching contract, as announced by the general managers of the Sabers and Americans.

“I am pleased to welcome Mike Leone as head coach of the Rochester Americans,” Sabers general manager Kevyn Adams said on the Amerks website. “The Amerks head coach plays a crucial role in the overall success and growth of our organization, and after a rigorous interview process, it became clear that Mike was the right person for the job.”

Prior to joining the AHL, Leone served as the head coach and general manager of the Green Bay Gamblers, a team in the United States Hockey League, as an assistant coach for the United States National Team Development Program from 2019 to 2022, assistant coach at Bowling Green State. academic and assistant for the Quad City Mallards in the ECHL in addition to assisting Team USA at international events.

Some of these international showcases included the 2022 and 2023 Jr. A World Challenge, the 2022 Hinka Gretzky Cup, the 2022 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament, the 2021 IIHF World Under-18 Men’s Championship, the 2019 Four Nations Under-17 Tournament, as well as the Under-17 Tournament. 17 World Hockey Challenge the same year.

As head coach and general manager of the Gamblers, Leone led Green Bay to back-to-back seasons with a playoff victory and at least 30 wins for the first time in a decade. He had an overall record of 66-41-10-7 in his two years as head coach and led the team to the most wins (32) since the 2016-17 campaign.

Leone played college hockey at Western Michigan University and four years professionally in the ECHL in addition to a year in France and three seasons of junior league hockey for the St. Louis Bandits in the North American Hockey League .

“I am extremely grateful and honored to be a part of the Buffalo Sabers organization as the next head coach of the Rochester Americans,” Leone said on the Amerks website. “I want to thank Kevyn Adams and Jason Karmanos for giving me the opportunity to lead the organization and for believing in me. I look forward to meeting everyone in the organization and helping our prospects continue to grow and develop on and off the ice. »