Ever wonder where Buffalo native, current Chicago Blackhawk and 2010 Team USA Olympic hockey player Patrick Kane got his start before making a name for himself in the NHL? The answer would be right across the border in London, Ontario.
Kane honed his skills for the London Knights, a Junior A team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team plays its home games in the John Labatt Centre in downtown London and is coached by Dale Hunter, who also owns the team and serves as president of the organization. Long-time Buffalo Sabres fans surely remember Hunter from his 19 seasons in the NHL, especially from his playing days with the Quebec Nordiques.
During the 2006-07 season in London, Kane “lit the lamp” 62 times in just 58 games and added 83 assists for a total of 145 points!
Kane’s former team is currently leading the OHL’s Western Conference Midwest Division with 76 points. The Knight have home games scheduled on Feb. 12, 14 and 19, and March 4, 10 and 12 if you want to catch them in action. For tickets or information, visit www.londonknights.com.
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Speaking of London, the American Hockey League announced that Portland Pirates right wing Mark Mancari has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Feb. 7. Mancari, a native of London, notched seven points and had a plus seven rating in three games last week.??
Mancari is tied for ninth in the AHL in scoring with 49 points, including a team-high 20 goals, in 49 games for Portland this season. He was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2004.
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Sabres fans are encouraged to arrive early for Tuesday’s 7 p.m. home game against the Boston Bruins to witness the Hall of Fame Class of 2010 induction ceremony. The Class of 2010 consists of Jim Lorentz and Joe Crozier. Ronan Tynan will perform God Bless America following the ceremony.
Lorentz spent seven of his 10 NHL seasons in Buffalo (1972-78), recording 331 points in 485 games. He also spent 26 years as a Sabres broadcaster, working with Ted Darling and Rick Jeanneret.
Crozier was head coach of the Sabres from 1972-74. Before coming to Buffalo in 1972, he won three Calder Cup championships in four years (1964-68) with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League. After retiring from coaching he joined the Sabres front office where he has remained for 36 years in various positions.
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