Buffalo Sabres spend the day in the community

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Not long before their home opener, the Buffalo Sabres showed their appreciation throughout Western New York with a community day.

“I think it’s important to get out here early to get the support of the fans. We do it for them, right? You stand in that rink and the energy they’re able to produce during those games is so important,” said forward Beck Malenstyn. “The more that we can connect with them and bring them out to games, it only helps us, and it just makes it a really fun community environment.”

Students at Tapestry Charter Lower School welcomed the Buffalo Sabres with blue and gold pom-poms in hand, and cheering filled the hallways.

“It’s always nice to be able to give back to the community, and the kids are loud and we’re having fun,” said Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin.

“I think there’s some hockey players coming out of Tapestry now,” said Melissa Rivera, the K-4 principal of Tapestry Charter Lower School.

The school was just one of the many stops that members of the Sabres visited throughout the day. Some players visited the new Bills stadium, local police and fire halls, and some were serving coffee at a local Tim Hortons.

At a local Tim Hortons, members of the Sabres served community members free lunch and coffee, signed lawn signs, and handed out tickets to a game.

“Why we’re here and why we do this is for the community and the people. Without them, we wouldn’t be a thing. So I think it’s important to give back, put some smiles on people’s faces, and just enjoy it,” said forward Peyton Krebs.