Through the down times, where did that belief come from?
It's a matter of just relying on your supporters. Again, my family is a big part of it. My fiancée has been big in the last few years. And just, again, knowing that everybody's path is different. Going to the American League for an entire season [in 2018-19] was probably the best thing that ever happened to me. It allowed me to just enjoy the game again and find that confidence that every player needs to be successful and for every person to have in life. It's very vital to just your overall wellbeing.
From there, I mean, coming into camp in Buffalo I saw the opportunity and I just kind of hit the ground running. With support from my teammates in Buffalo and down in Rochester and the coaching staff with Ralph and Chris Taylor, having that trust just solidified my feelings and allowed me to keep going. I think it's pretty cool and unique, the role I carved out. The faceoff guy, the penalty kill guy, and just that kind of heart-and-soul player. That's my identity and what I want to be known for, so hopefully it can continue.
You started the season in Rochester after a strong camp and then went back and forth for the first part of the season. Did Sabres management give you confidence during that time that you were on the right track?
Yeah. I had a very strong training camp and I really thought that I should make the team out of camp. But, again, there were external factors that were out of my control and nothing I could do. But going down to Rochester to start probably allowed me to ease my way and find my game again. I was playing primarily right wing to start the year and I made my adjustment back to my natural position of center, and that also kind of gave me a boost.
Then when you get called upon at the odd time of year, you're almost just a place holder. But when I went in there and really started realizing I can help this team win and I have a role, then it makes things a lot easier. My past experience and everything just kind of came full circle.
When do you remember your role taking shape - the physical, defensive, faceoff presence you ended up becoming?
I remember, I guess it was late November and Chris Taylor sat down with me and asked if I wanted to play center or the wing. I said, 'Center is where you're going to get the most out of me.' A couple nights later, I got called up to play L.A. and the next thing you know, Ralph's got me going toe-to-toe with Anze Kopitar for about 18 minutes that night. I held my own. And from there on, just that competitiveness in the faceoff circle, knowing it was an area I could really carve out and help our team.
It fueled my fire. I just wanted to work on every detail to first off stay in the NHL, but then also contribute and help this team take the next step. I'm excited about the future of the Sabres knowing that Ralph has started to instill that culture and that change, that winning mentality that I want to be around and be a part of. Hopefully my role continues to grow, but I'm very happy knowing that those dirty jobs, the ones that don't get all the credibility, that's just my cup of tea. That's what I like to do. I couldn't be happier.