The Buffalo Sabres have faced many difficult questions during what has so far been a disappointing season, but it was all smiles when Oak Orchard Elementary School student Melanie Hibbard came to First Niagara Center to watch practice and interview players for a feature that will air later this month.
Hibbard was one of three Western New York students selected to visit practice and talk to players as part of the Buffalo Sabres Jr. Reporter contest, which started this season as part of a partnership between the team and the New York’s 529 College Savings Plan. She sent a video about herself and the players she wanted to meet, and it was selected from several dozen entries.
“I sent in a video of what I like to do and why I’d like to be the reporter,” said Hibbard, who highlighted her love for physical activities like dancing and playing sports in the audition video. “I was pretty excited, it was a big moment.”
The feature was filmed during and after the team’s Jan. 11 practice. Hibbard joined the team’s beat reporters at the arena to watch the team at practice, talk to Jhonas Enroth and Patrick Kaleta in the locker room and watch coach Lindy Ruff’s press conference.
“They seem so much faster at practice than when they are playing,” Hibbard said.
Her video will be shown in the arena during the Sabres’ Feb. 17 game with the Montreal Canadiens and broadcast during the pre-game show on MSG prior to the Sabres’ Feb. 29 game in Anaheim.
“I got to hold a big microphone, it was very heavy,” said Hibbard, who wanted to interview Enroth and Kaleta because she had previously gotten Kaleta’s autograph and wanted talk to Enroth about goaltending.
The conversation with Kaleta covered his feelings on the day he was picked by the Sabres and the bruising forward’s plans for his post-playing career — Hibbard said Kaleta would like to be a coach. Hibbard talked to Enroth about the goaltender’s recent play and having his parents fly from Sweden to watch him play in person for the first time in his NHL career.
While she didn’t get to interview him, Hibbard also sized up forward Nathan Gerbe, the team’s pint-sized point-producer. “We’re about the same size,” she said.
Kaleta and Enroth gave Hibbard autographed sticks that they had used in practice.
“They really went above and beyond in treating her well,” Melanie’s father Jim said. “It was a class act.”
Hibbard’s video was the last of the junior reporter series filmed this year, but Sabres Coordinator of Partner Development John Latke said the program has been a success and will likely continue next year.
“The organization has had a lot of fun with the program,” Latke said. “The players get enjoy seeing the kids and answering their questions.”
With her inside info on the team, Hibbard believes the Sabres, who have taken points in their last four games, can make a run at a playoff spot.
“I think they are going to do pretty good, they worked really hard at the practice,” Hibbard said.
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