Buffalo forward Jason Pominville, a second-round pick in 2001, had 18 goals in 57 games for the Sabres since returning from AHL Rochester.

Pominville finally getting
his chance
By Russ Cohen | NHL.com correspondent
May 1, 2006

It's been a long wait for Jason Pominville.

The Buffalo Sabres drafted Pominville in the second round of the 2001 Entry Draft, 55th overall. It has taken this right winger all this time to become a regular on an NHL roster.

Back in the day, Pominville got a one-game sniff in 2003 and spent all of 2004-05 in the AHL during the work stoppage. This season, Pominville shuttled back and forth between Rochester and Buffalo, developing into an important player who appears to be starting a very promising career.

"I started the year in Rochester and tried to battle my way up," said Pominville, who has three goals and an assist against Philadelphia in five first-round games. "I got up and got sent back down and got called back up. Ever since then I kind of stuck around and have been playing a key role and I am trying to help my team as much as I can.

"I was kind of fortunate and unfortunate actually. I got called up, played one game, got sent back down and then maybe a week later I was back up and played 50-something in a row. I have been here for a while keeping it simple and trying to stick around."

The Repentigny, QC native had 18 goals in 57 games and he has become quite a clutch player for the Sabres. In early December, he assisted on a game-winning goal against the Montreal Canadiens, and in late January netted another game-winner against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Shortly after, he scored a shorthanded goal that won a game against the Atlanta Thrashers. On Feb. 2nd, he assisted on the game-winner against the Flyers, but better things were on the horizon.

Pominville has provided important goal production to take the pressure off the team's top line. In just his second career playoff game he scored a hat trick against the Flyers. In that game, Pominville showed he has a terrific one-timer and a great long-range slap shot. He seems to have built a chemistry with another late bloomer in Paul Gaustad (drafted 220th overall in 2000). Gaustad also just completed his first NHL season and in that same 8-2 rout against the Flyers in Game 2 had three assists.

"Without them (his linemates) I would not have been able to do what I did tonight," Pominville said "I think Gaustad made some really nice passes to me and made my job a lot easier."

The 2004-05 season in Rochester really helped Pominville. He had 68 points in 78 games with the Rochester Americans. In Rochester this season, Pominville netted 26 points in 18 games and was one of the top scorers in the AHL until he was promoted.

It's hard for a player like Pominville, generally a third or fourth liner, to get enough playing time to make a difference. He has made the most of his opportunities and he has even had some playing time on the first line with Daniel Briere and J.P. Dumont. That kind of experience is invaluable to a developing player.

"Every time I score, not long after that he's scoring. If you look at the sheet every time I score he does as well," said Dumont. "I am real happy for him too. It's been a tough year for him. Starting in Rochester, having a good training camp with us, but too many guys. He came up huge with key injuries to players."

Many young players get a shot, but few make the most of it. Pominville knows the value of playing in the NHL and his "can do" attitude should keep him around the NHL for years to come.