Last week, Patrick Geary, who hails from Hamburg, returned to familiar grounds as he arrived at LECOM Harborcenter for the Buffalo Sabres’ annual Development Camp. Having been part of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres program from 2017 to 2021, Geary spent many years at this state-of-the-art rink before being chosen by the Sabres in the sixth round of the 2024 NHL Draft just last month.

However, Geary was not the sole player coming back to skate on his AAA junior hockey rink.

This year, there were six former or current Buffalo Jr. Sabres players who attended an NHL Development Camp. Among them were Sabres prospects Matteo Costantini (fifth round, 2020) and Gavin McCarthy (third round, 2023), as well as camp invites Ryan Smith, Jak Vaarwerk, and Aiden McKenna. During the camp, they were able to reflect on their own Jr. Sabres journeys.

McCarthy expressed his admiration, stating, “I find it truly remarkable, just witnessing the number of individuals who have emerged from the Jr. Sabres organization. Moreover, we have all grown up skating on this very ice, so it’s rather gratifying to reconnect with one another at camp and enjoy each other’s company. It’s truly a wonderful sight to behold.”

From 2013 to 2020, Kevyn Adams, the general manager of the Sabres, held the position of president in the Jr. Sabres organization. During his tenure, he also served as both a head coach and an assistant coach for the program. He attributed the program’s achievements to the collective efforts of various individuals, including Pat Kaleta, the current president and director of hockey operations for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres, Sean Wallace, the vice president and executive director, Larry Playfair, a board member, and many others. Together, they worked alongside the Academy of Hockey at LECOM Harborcenter to develop and enhance the program.

“On the opening day of camp,” Adams expressed, “Having six former Jr. Sabres out there is quite impressive, in my opinion.”

The Buffalo Jr. Sabres organization consists of a grand total of 15 teams dedicated to youth development. Among these teams, 13 are specifically for boys, while 2 are exclusively for girls. Additionally, the organization’s 20u team actively participates in the competitive Ontario Junior Hockey League.

The program has an extensive lineup of NHL alumni as both current and former coaches. This offers young players a one-of-a-kind chance to receive guidance from those who have achieved greatness at the highest level of the sport. In addition to the NHL alums, several local coaches, such as Jake Brozyna and Ryan Zimmerman, have also contributed to the success of the Jr. Sabres. Their coaching led the team to win the Chipotle-USA Hockey 15 Only National Championship in 2018.

“Our coaching staff is what truly distinguishes us,” Kaleta stated. “We have individuals who not only possess a strong playing background but also have a genuine desire to give back to the players. This unique quality cannot be taught. Additionally, we have the expertise of Ryan Zimmerman and Jake Brozyna, who may not have NHL experience but have years of coaching under their belt. They bring a fresh perspective to our team, enhancing the quality of coaching. The blend of these different coaching styles is crucial and greatly contributes to our success.”

During his introductory press conference, Dennis Gilbert, who joined the Sabres on July 1 through a one-year contract, expressed the significance of his time with the Jr. Sabres program in 2013-14. He credited the program for aiding his development and providing him with the opportunity to practice alongside NHL alumni.

Several former NHL players, including Tim Kennedy, Cody McCormick, Brian Gionta, Rob Ray, and former Los Angeles Kings captain and Stanley Cup champion Dustin Brown, have dedicated their time to coaching for the Jr. Sabres organization.

Gilbert expressed how invaluable the resource was, stating, “Having individuals who have been through it all, accomplished great things, and understand the path to success is truly remarkable. Being guided by such experienced individuals from a young age greatly contributed to my personal growth.”

The Jr. Sabres are consistently producing NHL draft picks, but Kaleta emphasizes that the program’s primary objective is to teach children the right way to play the game. They also aim to instill values such as building relationships, putting in effort, and fostering a growth mindset to achieve success not only in hockey but also in life. Additionally, the organization has expanded by introducing a mite program and establishing two girls teams, contributing to the growth of the sport in Buffalo, Kaleta’s hometown.

As he observed the Western New York area, he noticed an ongoing growth of players, witnessing an increasing number of Buffalo Jr. Sabres players progressing to higher levels of hockey.

Kaleta expressed his belief that the Jr. Sabres program is truly remarkable and has great potential for further growth. He also emphasized that many people underestimate the exceptional work done by the coaching staff and those involved in running the Jr. Sabres. Kaleta highlighted the importance of not only providing a top-notch environment for players to compete and improve their skills, thanks to the resources available at Harborcenter, Impact, and the Academy of Hockey, but also in cultivating a fan base. He personally desires to create memorable experiences for more children in the local community, similar to the ones he cherished while growing up.

The team we have, consisting of employees, coaches, and others, is an incredibly remarkable group that brings about such accomplishments.

During the Sabres’ Development Camp, Geary, Costantini, McCarthy, Smith, Vaarwerk, and McKenna stepped onto the ice, filling Kaleta with immense pride as he witnessed six players who had successfully gone through the program and turned their dreams into reality. Adam Mair, the Sabres director of player development, acknowledged Kaleta and his team for their commendable efforts in providing these young players with opportunities through the Jr. Sabres development program.

Mair expressed his amazement, highlighting the remarkable achievement. He credited the Pegula family for their visionary approach and the extensive efforts invested in developing hockey in Buffalo from its grassroots. Mair emphasized the involvement of several individuals, including Matt Ellis, Tim Kennedy, himself, and even Kevyn, who have worked closely with these players. Ultimately, Mair expressed his enthusiasm and anticipation for the future.

Kaleta remains dedicated to expanding the game in WNY and eagerly anticipates an annual rise in the number of players attending NHL Development Camps.

Kaleta expressed admiration for the children, acknowledging their individual skills and talents. The main goal is to guide them in the right direction, fostering their growth and development. While winning a national championship might be one outcome, it is not the sole measure of success. Regardless, the players will inevitably face challenges in their hockey careers and personal lives. The objective is to equip them with the necessary tools to navigate these obstacles, ensuring their preparedness for the next stage of their hockey journey and beyond. Ultimately, achieving this is considered a victory for the team.