OFFSEASON UPDATE ON THE NEW LOOK AMERKS
Aug 12, 2026By Griffin Della Penna | @GriffinDP_
As the Rochester Americans embark on the franchise’s 71st season, change appears to be the largest theme of the offseason. With plenty of player and coach turnover this summer, the Amerks are set to look vastly different on the ice compared to just a few months ago.
While the change might feel daunting to some, Amerks head coach Michael Leone remains optimistic regarding the roster additions ahead of the 2026-27 AHL season.
“I thought management did a great job getting really quality people into the organization,” Leone said last month during Sabres Development Camp.
A major reason for Leone’s excitement as he enters his third season behind the bench is being able to work closely with Rochester’s new general manager, Stacy Roest. Leone was introduced to Roest through a mutual connection during Roest’s dozen year tenure in the Tampa Bay Lightning organization.
In January, Roest transitioned into a new role with the Sabres as a scout, marking the first time Leone experienced working with his new GM.
“I have a lot of respect for Stacy and he’s an incredible evaluator of talent. Jarmo [Kekäläinen] has said that you don’t play part in two Stanley Cups by luck. You have to work, you must be diligent, and develop strong relationships,” Leone said.
One of Roest's long-standing relationships is now paying dividends in the Flower City. At the beginning of free agency, the Amerks signed forward Matthew Peca to a two-year AHL deal. Peca, a former captain with the Springfield Thunderbirds, was drafted by Tampa Bay in 2011 and spent the first four years of his professional career with the Syracuse Crunch.
Roest played a pivotal role in Peca’s development to become an AHL All-Star during the 2017-18 campaign that included then a career-best 55 points in 69 games. After being a nuisance to gameplan against, Leone is thrilled to now have the 33-year-old center in his locker room.
“He’s a really good player in our league,” Leone said. “It’s not just that he’s a point producer, but he’s been in the AHL for a long time and worn a letter for multiple teams. There’s a lot of value in that.”
The Peca signing embodies a shift in philosophy on how the front office attacked the offseason. Roest prioritized players with professional experience rather than filling out the roster with prospects in the system.
The organization added veterans Conor Sheary, Jason Polin, and Dennis Gilbert on the first day of NHL free agency, who all could play pivotal roles in Rochester. The trio has skated in nearly 1,400 professional games, contrasting the youth movement that Amerks fans have gotten accustomed to seeing.
“It’s unique. I don’t think that Rochester has maxed out on veteran players in a while,” Leone said. "The young kids who have been here have graduated [to Buffalo], so it’ll be a different dynamic than previous years."
Sheary returns to the organization for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign after a two-year stint in Buffalo. The Winchester, Massachusetts native brings a championship mentality to the group after winning back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.
Polin, a Western Michigan University product, is a player that Leone has familiarity with as a Broncos alum himself. The 27-year-old winger completed his fourth season in the Colorado Avalanche organization on a high note, posting nine points in 17 playoff games during the Eagles' deep Calder Cup run. It didn't take long for Leone to discover that Polin was beloved by the Colorado Eagles coaching staff and would be a great culture fit in Rochester.
After beginning the 2024-25 season with the Sabres, Gilbert comes back to his hometown team as a depth defenseman. The pride of St. Joe's Collegiate Institute began last year in Lehigh Valley before being traded back to Belleville for 31 games and appearing in three playoff matchups for Ottawa.
Additional pieces have signed contracts with Rochester throughout the summer months, including goaltender Matthew Villalta and forward Aidan McDonough. Villalta is coming off his third year as the primary option for the Tucson Roadrunners while McDonough is coming off a breakout season in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
“I think these types of moves complement our very young D-core and give them some leadership that can help them grow. Having veterans in the room with high character will help those younger guys every day… I’m just excited to coach this group,” Leone said.
Rochester opens its 71st American Hockey League season a home on Friday, Oct. 2 against the defending Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies at The Blue Cross Arena. Season Ticket Memberships for the 2026-27 season, which start as low as $22 per game, are on sale now and come with several Members-only perks and benefits. Full and Half Season Membership options are also available. For more information on Amerks Season Tickets or to sign up today, call 585-454-5335 or visit www.amerks.com/memberships.