Buffalo Sabres Media Guide - NHL.com

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Daniel DiPofi Chief Operating Officer Daniel DiPofi The 2007-08 NHL season is Dan DiPofi’s fifth year as Chief Operating Officer of the Buffalo Sabres and HSBC Arena. His focus remains on business operations of the NHL team and its 18,690-seat arena. One of DiPofi’s ongoing projects is making sure the Sabres continue to thrive under the economic landscape of the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement that came into effect in July 2005. Buffalo’s on-ice success over the past two seasons has brought financial stability for the franchise. After previously serving in several financial capacities with the franchise under the Knox family, DiPofi returned to the Sabres after serving for two years as the Vice President of Business Operations & Finance with the Rochester Sports Group handling the Rochester Americans and the Blue Cross Arena. He also served as the Amerks Alternate Governor to the AHL. DiPofi graduated from Niagara University in 1984, and subsequently worked as a Public Accountant with Price Waterhouse until being hired by the Sabres as Corporate Controller four years later. After guiding the organization through drastic changes in the NHL’s economic structure in the early 1990’s, DiPofi was promoted to Vice President of Finance in 1992 and two years later was named Executive Vice President overseeing the long-term financial structure of the franchise. With his extensive financial background, DiPofi played a vital role in the franchise’s economic stability as the team and region tackled the construction and funding of the Crossroads Arena project (now, the HSBC Arena). He left the team in 1998 after the Knox family sold the franchise. DiPofi also serves as Vice Chairman of Horizon Health Management Group, a notfor-profit organization that provides comprehensive services to assist individuals with mental health problems and/or addictions. Dan and his wife, Janet, reside in Williamsville, NY with daughters: Ellen (17), Sarah (16), and Colleen (13). 9
Darcy Regier Darcy Regier General Manager Darcy Regier begins his 11th year as General Manager of the Buffalo Sabres. He has led the franchise through some of its finest seasons – including the Stanley Cup Finals in 1999 and back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals appearances the last two seasons – while also managing the team through its most difficult times. He has molded the Sabres into one of the most competitive and exciting teams in professional hockey. Regier and head coach Lindy Ruff make up the longest GM/Coach combination in the NHL and have had more success than any tandem in franchise history. The Sabres have been considered a pioneer of the “new NHL,” developing a mix of young talent and skilled veterans to combine for the ultimate “team first” model. The fast skating, offensive style of hockey that the Sabres have adopted over the past few seasons culminated into one of the most successful two-year periods in team history in 2006-07. Last season, the Sabres set a team record for the most wins (53), captured the first President’s Trophy in franchise history, and led the league in goals scored with 308. Buffalo also tied NHL records by winning their first 10 games of the season, along with wins in their first 10 road games. Upon his arrival in Buffalo, Regier reorganized the Sabres’ scouting department, paying immediate dividends in the NHL Entry Draft. This year’s edition of the Sabres features eight players who were drafted in the first or second round since his first draft in 1997, including: Thomas Vanek (1st, 2003), Drew Stafford (1st, 2004) and Henrik Tallinder (2nd, 1997). In the second-round of the 2001 Draft, Regier the team Derek Roy (32nd) and Jason Pominville (55th), a pair of young forwards who have quickly become key contributors to the current Sabres. Of the 21 players who saw action for Buffalo during last year’s playoffs, 12 were drafted by the Sabres. In the off-season, Regier continued to solidify the team’s future when locked up both Vanek and Roy to long-term contracts. 10 Many of the club’s recent draft picks were thrust into the spotlight on February 27, 2007 in Toronto when the Sabres convincingly defeated the Maple Leafs 6-1. With injuries to key players like Daniel Briere and Chris Drury, and trade deadline acquisition Dainius Zubrus not available, Buffalo was forced to play the game with six rookies in the lineup. Clarke MacArthur (3rd, 2003) posted a career-high three points during the game, while players like Nathan Paetsch (7th, 2003), Mark Mancari (7th, 2004) and
Page 2 and 3: TM Buffalo Sabres Media Guide 2007.
Page 4 and 5: Marketing: Director of Marketing .
Page 6: Although the Sabres approach may se
Page 9: 8Lawrence Quinn Larry Quinn is well
Page 13 and 14: the Hockey Department Lindy Ruff He
Page 15 and 16: the Playoffs Brian M c Cutcheon Ass
Page 17 and 18: the Hockey Department Kevin Devine
Page 19 and 20: the Hockey Department Rip Simonick
Page 21 and 22: Sabres Personnel Legal: Richard Mug
Page 23 and 24: Sabres Personnel Sales & Business D
Page 25: Sabres Personnel Michael Gilbert Di

Buffalo Sabres Media Guide - NHL.com

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?