Darcy Regier has calmly guided the Sabres franchise to some of the most successful seasons in the team’s 31-year history by continually developing talent throughout the organization. With the Sabres headed into the playoffs last season, Regier added some offensive touch without losing a player off the team’s roster with the acquisitions of Steve Heinze and Donald Audette at the trade deadline. Both Heinze and Audette were among the top scorers on their respective teams at the time of the trade. In the off-season, Regier added to the Sabres corps of solid, young players by acquiring a pair of 1999 first-round draft picks in Tim Connelly and Taylor Pyatt. He also added a veteran presence by trading for Vyacheslav Kozlov, who led Detroit in playoff goal scoring last season and is a two-time Stanley Cup champion.
The team’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Rochester Americans, won their division and conference for the third straight season, while the Sabres achieved an amazing 11-win improvement over the previous season and made the playoffs every year Regier has been at the helm. For the organization’s success over the past four years, the Rigas family signed Regier to a six-year contract extension.
Regier further solidified the Sabres organization by agreeing to a new four-year affiliation agreement with Rochester in July of 2001; maintaining a 22-year relationship which is the longest such partnership in hockey. The Americans continue to provide Buffalo with depth, while serving the dual purpose of developing young players. In his first NHL season, defenseman Dmitri Kalinin played a prominent role on the blue line for the Sabres. Forwards J.P. Dumont and Denis Hamel also had strong years in their inaugural seasons after developing with the Amerks. For the third time in team history, the Sabres captured the 2001 Jennings Trophy as the team that allowed the least goals against with 184. Rochester duplicated the parent clubs defensive success as goaltender Mika Noronen (1997, 1st round) was recipient of the Harry “Hap” Holmes Award by allowing the least amount of goals in the AHL (192). Noronen was again selected as The Hockey News’ Minor Pro Prospect of the Year for 2001; the only two time winner of the award, while teammate Brian Campbell was selected to the AHL Canadian All-Star team. Rochester again achieved 104 points for the second consecutive season; this time under first-year head coach Randy Cunneyworth.
Prior to joining the Sabres, Regier served in roles with the Islanders as: Director of Hockey Administration, Assistant Coach, and Assistant General Manager. While on Long Island, he supervised the club’s amateur development, and saw their International Hockey League affiliate win back-to-back championships (Denver Grizzlies in 1994-95 and then, after moving to Salt Lake City, the Utah Grizzlies in 1995-96). Legendary Islanders’ coach Al Arbour, along with Bill Torrey, who served in roles as General Manager, President, Chairman of the Board, and Consultant with New York, were significant contributors to Regier’s career as a hockey administrator. Regier left the Islanders organization briefly in the 1991-92 season to serve as an assistant coach with the Hartford Whalers.
Born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, he was the fifth choice (77th overall) of the California Golden Seals in the 1976 Amateur Draft. He appeared in 26 NHL games over the course of three seasons with the Cleveland Barons and the New York Islanders, totaling two assists and 35 PIM. Regier played parts of eight seasons of professional hockey and was a member of three championship teams. In 1982, he was named a First Team All-Star with Indianapolis (IHL), where he learned from one of the people he considers an influence on his hockey life, current Detroit Red Wings Senior Vice President Jim Devellano, then the team’s GM.
During his playing career, Regier was involved in the early setup of the Professional Hockey Players’ Association.
Darcy and his wife, Katherine, reside in Clarence with their three sons: Jonathan (20), Justin (16), and Jarrett (8).
