While speaking with "The Instigators" nearly two weeks ago, Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato told Andrew Peters and Craig Rivet he was working to keep both Matt Ellis and Dan Girardi on his coaching staff heading into the 2021-22 season.
However, according to a report from ESPN NHL analyst Kevin Weekes, it appears the Sabres will be looking outside the organization to add to Granato's staff. Weekes reported late Tuesday night there's a good chance the Sabres are bringing in Jason Christie to serve as an assistant coach in Buffalo.
Christie has spent the majority of his post-playing career in the ECHL serving as a head coach, most recently with the Jacksonville Icemen for four seasons. The 52-year-old has also spent time as head coach with the Tulsa Oilers, Ontario Reign, Utah Grizzlies and Peoria Rivermen.
During the 1999-00 season playing in the ECHL with the Rivermen, Christie served as a player/assistant coach, while Granato was in charge as head coach in Peoria. Together, they ended up winning the Kelly Cup as ECHL champions, and Christie was named the co-MVP of the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
After Granato left the organization that offseason to take a head coaching role with the Worcester IceCats in the American Hockey League, Christie retired from playing to take over as head coach of the Rivermen.
Christie also played for Granato the season before with the Columbus Chill in the ECHL. Granato spent two seasons in Columbus as the head coach/general manager of the team before the organization suspended operations.
During his playing career, Christie played as a right winger at the ECHL and AHL level for nine seasons. In 250 games in the ECHL, Christie went on to score 88 goals and add 174 assists for 262 points. Meanwhile, he went on to produce 129 points (42+87) in 216 games played in the AHL.
***Photo: Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres)