The Sabres announced today that the team has hired Brian Galivan as the team’s Director of Performance. Galivan will be joining the Sabres following a six-year tenure with USA Hockey, most recently as Director of Sports Science for the National Team Development Program.
Galivan is currently over in Denmark serving as the performance coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team at the IIHF World Championship. Kevyn Adams had high praise for Galivan when discussing his impact on the hockey community and how he can help the Sabres going forward.
“Brian has been a trusted resource for hockey players from the junior levels through the NHL level for years, and as we continue to make changes this offseason, we’re lucky to be able to add somebody with such a strong body of work to our organization,” Adams said.
“Brian has been known around the hockey world for years as one of the preeminent strength coaches in the world. Our players will benefit from his vast experience and wealth of knowledge, and I know he will be a tremendous asset for the Sabres.”
Galivan has been described as a world-renowned sports performance specialist, as he has played a key role in the success of the United States national teams in his six-year tenure. Galivan was a part of three gold medal-winning teams while serving on the strength and conditioning staffs for the 2021, 2024, and 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships.
“I am excited to join the Buffalo Sabres and bring my experience to this incredible organization,” Galivan said. “Building the sports science department at the National Team Development Program and helping shape the culture there has been an incredibly rewarding experience.”
Galivan also owns GVN Performance, a sports performance company committed to helping athletes achieve their full potential. GVN Performance grew to four locations and became a training destination for professional and Olympic athletes from various sports.
I think Galivan can be a major help for the Sabres, as he can help players returning from injury and working with younger players to speed up their development. When Galivan was at the NTDP, he worked with 84 players, 32 of whom have been drafted in the NHL.
This is another solid signing for the Sabres, as they slowly start to rebuild their front office and coaching staff. Galivan could be a diamond in the rough when it comes to hires, as he could be a big reason for the Sabres' success.