Tyler's Tale: From a Tiger to a Pirate to a Sabre.

Last night Sabres rookie Tyler Ennis - pictured celebrating his first NHL goal- joined us for most of the first segment in studio. The Edmonton product just returned last week after suiting up for the Sabres in their first round playoff loss.



Ennis has had a pretty great 16 months after winning a World Junior Gold medal he finished strong with the Medicine Hat Tigers, then played his way to an AHL rookie of the year award with Portland and a late season call up with the Sabres. In 10 regular season games with Buffalo Ennis put up 9 points and added 4 more in 6 playoff games.

However you might be surprised that Ennis struggled to start the season, which is rare for a guy who had back to back 43 goal seasons in Medicine Hat and once scored 6 times in a game against Prince Albert.

The 26th overall pick in the 2008 draft has made the Sabres the hands down winner of the first round from 2 years ago, in our humble opinion anyway. From that round Buffalo took the AHL's top rookie this year in Ennis, and the guy who will surely win the NHL's version of the award - Tyler Myers whom they selected 12th overall. Now that's a pat on the back for Buffalo's scouting staff for not being scared away by size, as even some were considering Myers a somewhat risky pick that year.

Guy and I covered a lot of ground with Ennis, from his favorite NHL and WHL rinks to play in, who's influenced his career thus far and what kind of a roommate Tyler Myers is. We took a few questions from Sabre fans about the summer work out plans for Ennis and what position he might play in the future with Buffalo.

We also picked his brain about some current and possibly future Oiler prospects, and spent some time discussing some past Medicine Hat teammates who are starting to make their mark in the pro game.

Finally we tried to paint the picture of Tyler's basement growing up, from the beat up nets to the puck marks all over the walls, it's the place he sharpened his skills, and still does. He also told us a crazy story about causing a root canal procedure for his Mom. Not so fitting with Mother's Day coming up this weekend, but in hind sight it's a little funny.

It was a great first hour with one of the shiftiest guys you'll ever watch, and someone who should be a full time Sabre next year. Tyler will also be appearing in the TEAM 1260 golf tournament on June 8th. Keep listening to the TEAM for a chance to win your way in.

To get the full scoop on Tyler Ennis, click here.