Buffalo Sabres History: Who Wore It, Number 20
Daniel Paille may just be the first current NHLer we’ve discussed in this “Who Wore It” series. Today, April 20th, we’ll take a look at the left winger who, before his time with the Boston Bruins, spent many years with the Sabres organization.
Feb 10, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Daniel Paille (20) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at the First Niagara Center. Bruins beat the Sabres 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
DANIEL PAILLE
Left Wing, b. 1984
Drafted by the Sabres, 2002
Paille, who just turned 30 five days ago, grew up in Welland, Ontario, about 25 miles northwest of Buffalo. He played four years of OHL hockey with the Guelph Storm, being drafted by the Sabres in the midst of that. The Sabres selected Paille with the 20th overall selection in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
After his years in Guelph ended, Paille spent the entire 2004-05 season with the AHL’s Rochester Americans. He had 14 goals and 15 assists in 79 games during the regular season. He also had four playoff points.
Paille put up almost identical numbers the next season, in much fewer games. In 2005-06, he had 14 goals and 13 assists in just 45 games with the Amerks. He also saw his first NHL action that season, playing 14 games with the Sabres and scoring his first NHL goal.
The ’06-’07 season saw Paille play 29 games each for the Sabres and Amerks., notching 11 and 21 points, respectively. It wasn’t until the next season that he solidified a spot on the Sabres.
After two full seasons with the Sabres from 2007 to 2009, Paille played just two games for the Sabres in the 2009-10 season. On October 20, 2009, he was traded to the Boston Bruins. The Sabres received a 2010 3rd-rounder (Kevin Sundher) and a 2010 conditional 4th round pick that was never exercised.
After many years with the Sabres organization, Paille has been with the Bruins since his trade there in 2009. He also played with Ives Tampere during the lockout of 2012-13 and, of course, won the Stanley Cup with Boston in 2011.
This season, Paille had nine goals and nine assists for 18 points in 72 regular season games with the Bruins. Paille has been out since April 11th with an apparent head injury, so he hasn’t appeared in any playoff games for Boston yet this year.
Other players to wear #20 for the Sabres: Rob Niedermayer, Ales Kotalik, Jason Holland, Doug Houda, Bob Sweeney, Dave McLlwain, Mike Hartman, Don Lever, Brent Peterson, Kai Suikkanen, Don Luce, Dick Duff, Brian McDonald