Buffalo Sabres History: Who Wore It, Number 78

Buffalo Sabres fans who have been visiting Sabre Noise for some time may be familiar with our “Who Wore It” series. We started this several years ago, highlighting one player to have worn each jersey number with the Buffalo Sabres. This series doesn’t designate who is the “best” to have worn that number, but simply allows fans to learn a little more about the team’s history and the players in it.

We last discussed jersey number 77, and now move ahead in our journey to jersey number 78, which has been worn by just one player in Buffalo Sabres history: Corey Tropp.

Tropp, now with the Chicago Blackhawks organization, was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres 89th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

At the time, he was playing with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL, and went on to play three years with Michigan State University before making the jump to the AHL.

Tropp spent the 2010-11 season with the AHL’s Portland Pirates, where he put up a respectable 40 points (10-30) in 76 games. He also notched 113 penalty minutes in that season, before adding 7 points in 12 playoff games.

The next season saw Tropp split his time between the AHL’s Rochester Americans and the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.

In 27 games with the Amerks, the right winger had 22 points (9-13). He added eight points (3-5) in 34 NHL games.

Then the injuries hit.

More from Buffalo Sabres History

• Buffalo Sabres: A deeper dive into RJ’s best calls Part I
• How the Buffalo Sabres fared against the Jets in 2022-23
• How the Buffalo Sabres fared against the Capitals in 2022-23
• How the Buffalo Sabres fared against the Golden Knights in 2022-23
• How the Buffalo Sabres fared against the Canucks in 2022-23

In the first game of the 2012-2013 season with the Rochester Americans, Tropp injured his knee, damaging both his ACL and MCL. He underwent season-ending knee surgery after potting two goals in the opening game of the season.

It would actually turn out to not be completely season-ending, as he returned for five games at the end of the season. He finished that season with seven points in six games despite the injury.

A summer passed, and unfortunately, Tropp’s injury-ravaged ways would continue. Before the 2013-2014 season even formally began, on September 25, Tropp suffered a broken jaw and a concussion in a fight with Jamie Devane.

The right winger played nine games with the Buffalo Sabres but was eventually put on waivers. He was claimed by the Columbus Blue Jackets, where would spend the remainder of that season.

In 44 regular season games with the Blue Jackets, Tropp put up 10 points and was a plus-11. He skated in an additional pair of playoff games with Columbus, too.

This past season, thus, was Tropp’s first full one with the Blue Jackets. He scored eight points (1-7) in 61 games, adding 76 penalty minutes and a minus-14 along the way.

Now, with some 150 NHL games under his belt, it’s time once again to move on for Tropp. He was part of a seven-player trade that saw Tropp, Artem Anisimov, Marko Dano and Jeremy Morin head to the Chicago Blackhawks. Coming back the other way: Brandon Saad, Michael Paliotta and Alex Broadhurst.

Tropp will get his first chance in a Blackhawks uniform next month when training camp opens.

Next: Is Matt Moulson Worth Keeping?

More from Sabre Noise

• 3 biggest standouts at Buffalo Sabres 2023 Prospects Challenge
• 3 takeaways from the Buffalo Sabres final Prospects Challenge game
• Buffalo Sabres experiment with lesser-known talent in loss to Pens
• Buffalo Sabres 75 Bold Predictions for 2023-24: Prediction 51
• Buffalo Sabres vs. Pittsburgh: A quick look at the Penguins prospects