Sorry about the bulk emails, folks, just trying to get after this stuff early...

After several months of uncertainty, including rumors of an Amerks-Tampa Bay
Lightning affiliation, the Rochester club inked a four year deal with the
Buffalo Sabres, prolonging the longest affiliation in professional hockey.

Also...The Sabres signed right wing Christian Matte from the Minnesota Wild and
Doug Houda to contracts. Matte spent last season between the Wild and the
now-defunct IHL's Cleveland Lumberjacks. Now in his seventh season, Matte has
recorded 185 goals and 230 assist for 415 points. He won the John B.
Sollenberger Trophy is 1999-2000 as the AHL's top scorer with the Hershey Bears.
In addition, he was a member of the Canadian Team during the 2000 AHL All-Star
Classic in Rochester. In order to make room on the roster for Matte, the Amerks
were forced to trade Jason Cipolla to the Manitoba Moose in return for nothing.

Doug Houda is entering his 16th season of pro hockey and will most likely remain
with the Amerks all season. The 35 year old defenseman has registered 65 goals
and 267 assists in 972 pro games. He has played in the NHL with Buffalo,
Detroit, Hartford, Los Angeles, Anaheim and the New York Islanders.

Last but not least, the Sabres signed Bob Essena to back up former Amerk Martin
Biron in goal this season, all but guaranteeing that Mika Noronen will remain
the starting netminder in Rochester this season.

Stay tuned for more Amerks news coming soon!

Jon LeRoy,
List Owner/Moderator