When new Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula officially took over the team from businessman Tom Golisano last month, he immediately made his intentions clear.
“From this point forward, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win the Stanley Cup,” said the billionaire and lifelong Sabres fan.
For hockey fans around North America, this statement was nothing more than the new guy in town trying to make a name for himself. For Sabres players and fans, however, the message sent chills down their spines.
Golisano had saved the franchise from a possible move out of Buffalo after the downfall of the Regis family, but his focus was on making money, not winning hockey games. He had no problem admitting that. In his first remarks as owner, Pegula said that there were no longer any financial restraints on the front office.
Since Pegula took over the reigns, the Sabres are 7-2-2 and have vaulted into seventh place in the Eastern Conference. Pegula has attended every game since the $189 million purchase, despite the fact the Sabres just concluded a franchise-long, seven-game road trip in which they went 4-2-1.
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Article written by Tim Daniels
Buffalo Sabres’ New Owner Terry Pegula Making Immediate Impact
March 12th, 2011 by Tim Daniels Leave a reply »
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