Sabres introduce Nikki as team dog for 2022-23 season

It's not easy to follow in the pawprints of a legend, but Nikki is certainly going to try.
The Buffalo Sabres have announced that Nikki, a golden retriever who is training to be a service dog as part of WNY Heroes' Pawsitive for Heroes program, will be the team's official team dog for the 2022-23 season.

Rick, the team's first dog, is currently in the service of U.S. Coast Guard veteran Chris Kankiewicz.

Nikki is approximately eight months old and was donated to WNY Heroes by the Warden family. Nicholas Warden, a U.S. Army veteran from Depew, was killed in Syria while combating ISIS as a volunteer fighter in 2017. WNY Heroes named Nikki in his honor.
Nikki will attend select home games and other events this season to greet fans, cheer on the Sabres and receive lots of belly rubs.
She will eventually be paired with a veteran of her own. Nikki and the veteran will then go through training together to build the trust and bond between the two. Throughout the training, Pawsitive for Heroes takes an extensive look at how the dogs behave in different situations to make sure it is the right match. The Buffalo Sabres Foundation is sponsoring Nikki's training.

Founded in 2007, WNY Heroes, Inc. has become a critical life sustaining vehicle for veterans and their families by providing immediate financial assistance to those in need.
WNY Heroes has a long-standing relationship with the Sabres and this initiative will help create more awareness and support for the Pawsitive for Heroes program.
Pawsitive for Heroes launched in 2014 and pays for service dog training with the help WNY Heroes receives from its sponsors. The dogs and their owners go through various courses together, properly preparing the dogs to serve those who've served.
Stay tuned to Sabres.com and the team's official social media channels for more content with Nikki this week and throughout the season.