Griffith wearing #25 for Sabres
Wallaceburg’s Seth Griffith will be wearing #25 on his sweater, when he suits up for his new club, the Buffalo Sabres, this week.
The Sabres announced the roster for the team’s training camp, which begins today, Thursday, September 14.
Players are scheduled to report for testing and physicals.
Beginning tomorrow, September 15, the team’s practice sessions at HarborCenter will be open to the public, with practices broken down into multiple sessions throughout each day.
Buffalo announced they had signed Griffith to a one-year contract worth $650,000 back on July 1.
Griffith told the Sydenham Current back in July that he is looking forward to the opportunity.
“I am really excited to be with them,” he said.
“Looking forward to create an opportunity there. Great young team, up and coming. Just enjoying the rest of this summer and I’ll be back playing before you know it.”
Griffith said the connection with Bufflao came up on July 1, when the club called him on free agency day.
“They really liked me,” he said.
“They were really excited to give me an opportunity there and I am looking forward to it. They just said all the right things that I was looking for and I think they were looking for the player style that I play too, so it was just kind of a good fit.”
Griffith said it will take a lot of hard work to stay up in the NHL ranks.
“Just work hard. Do what I know I can do. I have got to play a strong offensive game. That is the kind of player I am, but at the same time, especially in the NHL, you have got to be a two-way player. How many points you are putting up and all that, if you aren’t playing defence, than teams aren’t going to want you,” he said.
“Just looking forward to playing a solid two-way game.”
Griffith recorded five assists and had a plus-6 rating in 24 NHL games last season, 21 with Florida and 3 with Toronto.
He also played 38 games for the Toronto Marlies in the AHL, where he posted 44 points (10 goals and 34 assists) and led the team in points per game at a 1.16 clip.
Despite it being a roller-coaster year, Griffith said he still took a lot away from the experience.
“It was a crazy year, but at the same time I learned a lot. I got to play with a lot of great players too. You know, the biggest thing is you just got to take it day-by-day is what I learned,” he said.
“Work hard everyday because you never know where you could end up. One day I am sitting in Florida where the sun is shining and it’s 80°F and then the next thing you know, you are back in Toronto wearing your winter coat. So just take it day-by-day and make sure you are working hard everyday. You can’t take a day off.”
The Sabres will then open their preseason slate of games on Monday, September 18, against the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center at 7 p.m.
Wolves win big
The Wallaceburg Wolves won big this week during their annual community baseball game.
On September 12, 2017, Community Living Wallaceburg hosted a special Community baseball game, held at Kinsmen Park in Wallaceburg.
Members of the community took to the field to play against the Wallaceburg Wolves, Community Living Wallaceburg’s team made up of individuals who have an intellectual or physical disability.
Those that volunteered to be a part of the community team included Chatham-Kent Police Services, Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services, Councilor Jeff Wesley, employees from No Frills as well as Community Living Wallaceburg Board Members and Staff.
The Wallaceburg Wolves, coached by Aaron Vandorsselaer, is a team that anyone can join regardless of their ability.
They meet once a week during the summer to enjoy a fun game of baseball, where the players take turns hitting the ball and running the bases.
For his 10 years as volunteer coach, Aaron was presented with an award for his dedication and passion for ensuring everyone is included and welcome to enjoy the game.
Special guest, and local singer Alyssa Doherty started the festivities with a beautiful rendition of the national anthem.
Announcing the play-by-play of the game was Greg Hetherington, introducing each player as they entered the field and showcasing highlights of the game as it was played.
The game was enjoyed by a crowd of 150 community members, family and friends who came to cheer on both teams.
BBQ held for Wallaceburg girl, Rez Socks win championship
The Rez Socks were crowned as the champions of the Wallaceburg Slo-Pitch League playoffs this past weekend at Glen Mickle Park.
The two-day tournament also included a charity barbecue in support of two Wallaceburg girls.
Proceeds from the Saturday barbecue went to the families of of Olivia Formosa and Preslie Hensel.
Approximately $1,400 was raised in total.
Both families will be receiving $700 each.
Olivia was recently diagnosed with a brain tumour that is grade 3.
She is set to undergo chemotherapy and will be traveling to the U.S for radiation treatments.
Donate to her crowdfunding campaign, here.
Preslie was put into a medically induced coma and has been on life support since Friday, August 11.
Donate to her crowdfunding campaign, here.
