Former Centennials get first taste of NHL

Chris Thorburn waits for a face-off during an AHL game on November 17th. The former Centennial was called up by the Buffalo Sabres this week. Photo by Chris Dawson.

Two former Centennials made their NHL debut’s last week. Chris Thorburn, a second round pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 2001, was called up to play for the Sabres on Friday, December 2nd against the San Jose Sharks. He was held off the score sheet, getting a penalty and one shot on goal.

The former first round pick of the Centennials started his third year with the American Hockey League’s Rochester Americans this fall, where he had registered 17 points in 21 games with the Sabres AHL affiliate.

The Sault Ste. Marie native has made a lot of adjustments to his game since his days in the OHL. The stitches underneath his eye after a mid November fight are a clear indication of that. Thorburn is no longer a first line slick skating center man, now he’s a physical 2nd-3rd line winger who’s willing to bump and grind.

“As far as Buffalo has been telling me, my awareness, my defensive play, I’m going to be known as a defensive forward and once in a while obviously fight, and take on any role that is necessary to help the team be successful,” said Thorburn before his call-up during interview after an Americans November 17th game against the Chicago Wolves.

Despite having to play through a difficult final season with the North Bay franchise before it was re-located to Saginaw in the spring of 2002, the Sault Ste. Marie native still has a lot of fond memories of the Gateway city.

“The people that I met their, just a top class organization, with Bill Finnis and Mr. Ted Thomson they were great guys they treated me very well and obviously Mr. Mike Kelly and my billets Sharon Walsh and Eva Leslie, they were outstanding people, they brought me to their homes and really made me feel at home and the friends I made along the way I can’t even name a few because there were so many,” said a sincere Thorburn.

Now maybe with some solid play perhaps Thorburn will find a permanent home with the Buffalo Sabres.

Platt’s debut

The last Centennial first round pick, Geoff Platt, made his NHL debut last week playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He dressed for the Blue Jackets on Thursday, December 1st when the Blue Jackets visited the St. Louis Blues.

Platt, played his OHL rookie season in North Bay before moving with the franchise to Saginaw and finishing off his junior career last season with the Eerie Otters. He was signed as a free agent this summer by the Columbus Blue Jackets and registered 14 goals in 20 games playing with the Blue Jackets AHL affiliate in Syracuse.

Platt was held scoreless in the game and sadly his NHL journey was a short one this time, as Platt was re-assigned to Syracuse on Saturday.