BUFFALO — Other than a bit of a receding hairline, former winger Maxim Afinogenov looks pretty much like he did 20 or so years ago, when his slick exploits electrified Sabres fans.
Heck, Afinogenov looks like he could still lace up the skates and dazzle a bit, even at age 46. The Russian played until 2019-20 – he spent 10 seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League after leaving North America – before retiring.
The COVID-19 pandemic and his son’s desire to learn to play hockey finally made him hang ‘em up.
“Everything was good and I loved playing,” Afinogenov said prior to Wednesday’s reunion of the beloved 2005-06 Sabres team in KeyBank Center. “When the pandemic hit, my kid told me, ‘I want to play hockey.’ I’m like, ‘OK, I finish then, I’m going to help you.’”
These days, Afinogenov, one of the most popular players on some heavyweight Sabres teams in the early 2000s, owns a restaurant in Russia. His father was in the business, so he decided to get involved.
The restaurant serves Russian cuisine like borscht.
“It’s pretty fun,” he said of owning a restaurant. “It’s interesting.”
Fun and interesting certainly describe Afinogenov as a player. While he possessed loads talent and could score, he wasn’t exactly a two-way threat.
Looking back, Afinogenov is grateful for some of the guidance and tough love Sabres coach Lindy Ruff gave him.
“Right now, I can see he was right,” he said. “… He (taught) me, and I think I learned a lot from him. When I was gone from Buffalo, I think it helped me a lot through my career until was 40.”
Afinogenov appreciates that Ruff allowed him to utilize his strengths.
“He let me play offense like I want, and he was always point me out on my defense in the defensive zone or how we play in the neutral zone,” said Afinogenov, who received a loud ovation when he was introduced before the Sabres played the Canadiens. “It helped me when I played for the different teams.”
When some new rules and enforcement of existing ones opened up the game following the NHL lockout, Afinogenov enjoyed a terrific season, scoring a team- and career-high 73 points on the 2005-06 club that fell one game short on the Stanley Cup final.
“It was kind of the style I liked to play,” he said.
The next year, Afinogenov scored the overtime goal in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinal against the New York Rangers, his signature moment in Buffalo.
“Probably (that) goal was most important for me,” he said.
After leaving Buffalo, Afinogenov spent 2009-10 with the Atlanta Thrashers before returning to Russia.
Buffalo will always have a piece of his heart.
“Here I got so many friends right now, and I’m still talking to them,” Afinogenov said. “The people were friendly. The fans were great, the teammates. I got just good memories of Buffalo.”
Afinogenov believes Ruff, who’s in his second stint here, is the perfect coach to end the Sabres’ NHL-record 14-year playoff drought.
“I think this guy can put the team back in the playoffs,” he said. “That’s the only guy probably. That’s the right decision.”
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The Sabres announced during Wednesday’s game that former wingers Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek, both of whom were rookies in 2005-06, will be inducted into the team’s hall of fame next season.
Seventeen members of the 2005-06 team attended the 20-year reunion, including goalie Ryan Miller, who introduced a video announcing the hall of fame honors.
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The Sabres on Wednesday recalled center Konsta Helenius, one of their top prospects, from the Rochester Americans.
Center Josh Norris is day to day after suffering an upper-body injury when Nick Seeler cross-checked him in the second period of Wednesday’s 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, according to the team.
Helenius, 19, was scratched against the Canadiens.
The Sabres drafted the Finn 14th overall in 2024.
Helenius has compiled nine goals and 30 points in 34 games this season. On Wednesday, he was to selected to play in the AHL All-Star Classic.
Winger Isak Rosen and defenseman Zac Jones were also named to the All-Star Classic.
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The Sabres scratched defenseman Michael Kesselring, who’s ready to play after suffering a high ankle sprain, to give him extra rest.