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Newest Sabre feels at home in Buffalo

Chris Caya/WBFO News

The newest member of the Buffalo Sabres met with reporters this morning at First Niagara Center.  Forward Steve Ott is promising to bring his hard work ethic to the team.

Ott calls Buffalo a first class place to play hockey, from ownership to management to staff. He says he wants to help make the Sabres, who have been criticized for lacking toughness, a harder team to play against.

"I think team toughness is your best toughness," Ott said. "I think if you go in there and you play a team-structured game, heavy heavy, that will take care of your toughness."

The 29-year-old Canadian was acquired from the Dallas Stars July 2 in a deal that shipped longtime Sabre forward Derek Roy out of town. Ott will wear jersey number 9 with Buffalo, the same number Roy wore.

Ott says his style of hockey reflects the area's work ethic.  Ott, a former "military kid," says he and an old teammate used to call each other the "blue collared brothers."

"Our style of hockey was blue collar hockey. This is the city that I kind of grew up [in], the same kind of area, the same way, and that's my style, as well," Ott said.

"He plays with a certain amount of intensity. He walks the line every night. He's an agitating guy, an irritating guy to play against," said Ruff.

Ott is good friends with Sabres defenseman Mike Weber. He says even after just one day in the Queen City, it already feels like home.