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"We'd like to introduce the seventh general manager in the history of the Buffalo Sabres, Roy Garrett".

I never thought i'd hear those words.

I was born in 1963 in Oakville, Ontario. I wasn't very popular as a kid for a number of reasons. One of them was my dyslexia, with which I struggled in school.

My favourite team growing up was the Leafs. I used to park myself in front of the TV to watch Hockey Night in Canada, looking forward to it each Saturday.

I played defence. I used to be a defensive defenseman, rarely racking up points. I eventually was drafted into the OHA, with the Soo Greyhounds. I played 3 years with them from 1980 to 1983. I never was drafted into the NHL. I played a year in the IHL before being signed by the Binghampton Whalers of the AHL. In 1985, I signed a contract with the Hartford Whalers, but I never got to play for them. In fact, I never played in the NHL.

I played in the AHL for 7 more years with 4 different teams, before heading to the IHL for another 3 years. I decided to retire in 1991 at 28 to spend time with my wife and newborn son.

I signed as an assistant coach for the Peterborough Petes in the OHL in 1995. I held that position until 1998, when I was offered a job for the Rochester Americans. I became head coach in 2003. I also took GM in 2006.

Then the day came. I got the call.

Darcy Regier had left to join the management for the Winnipeg Jets (who had just moved from Atlanta). I was offered the job.

I happily accepted.

(P.S. I messed up with the title, i'm a GM. Lindy's the coach.)

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Training camp went great. I got to know the players well, we worked on their progress; and I can happily say we're a playoff team.

Rookie defenceman Tyler Myers played great, but he didn't seem ready yet. Myers was sent back down to the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL.

Goaltender Jocelyn Thibault, who considered retirement following the 2007-08 season, showed up and played amazing. I signed him to a $ 3.03 M, 1 year deal. I also resigned Ryan Miller to a three year, $ 7.62 million deal. Now i'm forced to decide which one will back up Miller? Lalime or Thibault?

One player that strugged during preseason was Derek Roy. I got into talk with Cliff Fletcher, GM of the Leafs, and we made a deal. Derek Roy and Tim Connolly were shipped to Toronto for Mats Sundin and Matt Stajan.

Following that preseason game against Toronto, I brought Derek into my office. "Hey, Mr. Garrett", he
exclaimed. "Please call me Roy", I responded. It then came to me that my first name was his last name. "I decided to let it out fast. "You've been traded". Derek's face changed. "To what team?", he asked. "Toronto", I answered, "you and Tim Connolly". I brought in Tim afterwards. Pretty much the same.

The next day, Mats and Matt arived. Sundin was reunited with former Nordique teammate Jocelyn Thibault. While Mats went out for lunch with a few Sabres, Matt walked around town. I met with him for dinner.

The final cuts were announced. Jocelyn Thibault, Andrew Peters, Michael Funk, Nolan Pratt, and Mike Weber were assigned to the Rochester Americans of the AHL.

If this was last year, that would of been me managing Rochester.

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October 10, 2008

I'm a bit nervous of my first real game as a GM in the NHL. Today I met Scotty Bowman. He wished me luck and gave me a few tips. I forgot them already.

I arrived at the HSBC Arena at 4:00 P.M. The game was for 7:00. I saw Craig Rivet (our captain), Matt Stajan, Ryan Miller, Thomas Vanek, and Paul Gaustad all kicking a soccer ball. "Hey Roy", said Paul. "Hey, you excited for the season opener?", I asked. "You bet", repiled Matt. None of them seemed to feel like talking. Fine with me.

The Canadiens have Saku Koivu, Alex Kovalev, and Alex Tanguay, not to mention Komisarek and Hamrlik on D, and Price in net.

Mats was the last to arrive. He was pumped up for his Sabre debut. So was Matt.

Rick Jeanerret announced the game as always. Kirk Muller and Pat Lafontaine did the ceremonial puck drop.

As Mats Sundin and Saku Koivu got ready for the opening faceoff; I, in my GM booth above, am for one excited of what will happen in a few seconds.

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After the Sabres won, I knew this was the team for me.

There were still some free agents out there. One was Kenny Jonsson, who had been released from Modo in Sweden.

Jonsson was a draftpick of Toronto in 1993, and he played in the NHL with the Leafs and Islanders until 2004, when he went back to Sweden.

There was a practice on the 11th, so on the 12th I went to Manhattan, where Kenny was staying.

We talked for a while. He was interested in returning to the NHL, but with a contender. At 33, you're either desperate or secure. He was running out of options. "It's either the NHL", he said, "or I hang 'em up". He also explained that if he retires, he has been offered a coaching job with the Swedish men's national team.

We were sitting in a Dunkin' Donuts, and we both got something to eat. Me a Boston cream donut, him a carrot muffin, each of us a coffee.

"I'm not sure if i'm ready for a comeback", he explained, "I haven't played here for four years. Besides, the league has changed". We began to talk more about contracts. By the end of the day, we had both agreed on a 1 year 3.6 M two way deal.

Teppo Numminen was assigned to Rochester, and Jonsson was put on the first line today, the day we play his former team, the Islanders.