Former NHLer has been president of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres since 2008
Buffalo, NY – …. Larry Playfair, the longtime governor of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres franchise, has been presented with the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Marc Mercier Chairman’s Award.
The award was presented to Playfair by Mercier, the former chairman of the OJHL, in an on-ice presentation before tonight’s game between the Jr. Sabres and the Wellington Dukes at the LECOM Harborcenter in downtown Buffalo. The game was labelled Playfair Appreciation Night by the Jr. Sabres. Larry’s wife, Jayne Playfair, was also recognized during the pregame ceremony.
First awarded in 2015, the Chairman’s Award is presented at the chairman of the board’s discretion to an individual who demonstrates the core values of the OJHL, including integrity, professionalism, sportsmanship and personal growth, and who has gone above and beyond the normal course of responsibilities for the betterment of the league.
“Larry’s impact and contribution to the OJHL goes far beyond the commitment he makes each season to the players and staff of the Junior Sabres,” OJHL Commissioner Marty Savoy said. “His vision, support and dedication for the League of Choice has been so valuable that without Larry Playfair the OJHL would not be the league it is today.”
Playfair has served as team president of the Jr. Sabres since 2008 when the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Sabres Alumni Association acquired the junior franchise and the Alumni taking over daily operation of the team.
“Jayne and Larry Playfair, for several decades and throughout multiple ownership groups, have had the vision, persistence, and determination to create and foster the growth of the Buffalo Jr Sabres,” said Sean Wallace, Head Coach and General Manager of the Jr. Sabres. “Jayne and Larry have been the consistent bridge between the Buffalo Sabres and the Buffalo Jr Sabres.”
The entire Buffalo Jr Sabres youth hockey organization was invited. All players were given “Playfair Appreciation Night” T-shirts.
“The bridge between the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Jr Sabres began with a Jr. A team,” Wallace told the OJHL, “expanded to include a midget program, and has now grown to 14 teams from 7U to Jr A. This has been a vision of the Playfairs, to create an elite organization to give players the ability to reach their potential and to play at the highest levels of the game.” The Playfairs will be recognized in a pregame ceremony for their years of leadership, effort and commitment to our organization.
Playfair has been instrumental in having the OJHL Governors’ Showcase hosted by the Jr. Sabres at the LECOM Harborcenter. The event attracts NHL, NCAA and OHL scouts every fall.
A first-round draft pick of the Sabres in 1978, Playfair played in 688 NHL games with Buffalo and the Los Angeles Kings. A permanent resident of Western New York, he was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame 2022.
Throughout the history of the Junior A hockey club, former Buffalo Sabres have offered their services as head or associate coaches. Former Junior Sabres coaches include Mike Peca, Larry Mickey, Morris Titanic and Jim Lorentz. Ric Seiling served as an associate/assistant coach for three seasons when the club was known as the Niagara Scenic.
In addition to hundreds of college-bound players, the franchise (including its Scenic and Lighting eras) has been a stepping stone to the NHL for several players including Brian Gionta, Todd Marchant, Jeff Farkas, Lee Stempniak, Aaron Miller, Kevyn Adams and Ryan Callahan.
(OJHL Photo)
