The results of the survey about #patchgate are in with 224 results and you’ll see the results below. I’m not claiming this speaks for everyone as I’m sure the Sabres or Amerks could conduct a poll with larger results but for what this site is it’ll give a general idea of what the die hard fan base thinks.
I expect that there will be a Sabres patch on the Amerks jersey’s which will replace the patch that previously went to advertisers. In a way they will see the Sabres logo as advertising, not much different. Some fans do bring up a good point that it wasn’t used as advertising in the previous 29 seasons being affiliated together so why now? Easy answer, different times, different era.
To new visitors to the site, over time you may see things like this posted that aren’t just about the hockey team on the ice. I cover everything related to Rochester Americans hockey whether it’s on the ice or off the ice. Some of it may seem silly (like many think of this which is fine) or out there but it’s stuff fans talk about so I write about it. Discussions are a good thing!
The results are copied/pasted below, you can view the direct results here and here. Â Besides the numbers, you can see comments below that people left that probably gives a better idea what everyone thought.
** A Buffalo Sabre logo is being considered for the Rochester Amerk’s jersey. Please tell us to what degree you agree or disagree with a Sabre’s logo being on the Amerk’s jerseys.
| Value | Count | Percent % |
|---|---|---|
| I strongly disagree | 68 | 30.4% |
| I somewhat disagree | 34 | 15.2% |
| I somewhat agree | 34 | 15.2% |
| I strongly agree | 70 | 31.3% |
| I don’t know/I don’t care/It depends | 18 | 8% |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Total Responses | 224 |
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** Are you a season ticket holder of the Rochester Americans?
| Value | Count | Percent % |
|---|---|---|
| Yes or planning to be | 134 | 59.8% |
| No | 90 | 40.2% |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Total Responses | 224 |
Overall Results:
Please explain your answer:
| Â | |
|---|---|
| Â | Response |
| Â | * All teams do this. |
| Â | *Â Amerks have never had a patch on jersey of NHL yeam and NEVER should! |
| Â | *Â Be proud of the affiliation. It’s the reason I plan on attending Amerk games again. |
| Â | *Â Because Buffalo and Rochester are one. Show Unity and Pride. |
| Â | *Â Big fan of both teams! |
| Â | *Â Don’t change a Rochester and hockey tradition with the Amerk uniform, one of the best in hockey. |
| Â | *Â Finally a parent team we can be proud of! |
| Â | *Â Go Sabres! |
| Â | *Â History, mostly. |
| Â | *Â I see no reason not to have one. I’m a very proud Amerks fan and a very proud Sabres fan. |
| Â | *Â I wouldn’t mind. Gives a sense of unity and whole as an organization. |
| Â | *Â I’d rather see that than advertising. |
| Â | *Â If it’s on the shoulder because they should show one of the biggest affiliations in hockey |
| Â | *Â If they must have a logo I prefer the Sabres over a business. |
| Â | *Â It can be a shoulder patch. Put that Amerks logo on the chest! |
| Â | *Â It is the Rochester American’s Jersey not the Buffalo Sabres. |
| Â | *Â It looked nice on the Portland jerseys, it shows a sense of pride and unified goals. |
| Â | *Â It needs to be small, plus I’d rather see a Sabres logo than the stupid Toyota logo. |
| Â | *Â It would be great to have a small logo as part of the unification of our teams and cities. II |
| Â | *Â It would solidify our connection to the Sabres. |
| Â | *Â It’s good to represent your NHL affiliate |
| Â | *Â Looks better without, keeps tradition. |
| Â | *Â Maybe a helmet sticker would be better. |
| Â | *Â Other farm teams have it and it is not a big deal. A true unification. |
| Â | *Â Plain and simple tradition. The players in Rochester are playing for us not, ugh, buffalo. |
| Â | *Â Players need to know that despite playing for Rochester, they represent the Buffalo Sabres. |
| Â | *Â Rochester is our own city, and the Amerks are older/more historic |
| Â | *Â Sabres own the Amerks, it’s their right and privilege to put the family crest on their uni’s. |
| Â | *Â Same as a sponsor… Doesn’t matter |
| Â | *Â Shoulder patch is appropriate I think. |
| Â | *Â The Amerk jersey is special. Rochester is not Buffalo. |
| Â | *Â The Amerks have a clear brand and identity which should be respected for its timelessness |
| Â | *Â The Amerks sweater is sacred. Don’t clutter it with that lame logo. |
| Â | *Â The Sabres are running the show and this would visually align both teams’ interests. |
| Â | *Â The Sabres own the Amerks, it’s up to them. |
| Â | *Â The University of Sabres is a fucking diploma mill. |
| Â | *Â The teams are tied together and unified with one goal – bringing a Stanley Cup to Buffalo. |
| Â | *Â The ties between the Amerks and Sabres should be noted. |
| Â | *Â There of no need. We are the older team and sho.uld retain a level of autonomy. |
| Â | *Â These are Sabres players and Sabres prospects. The Sabres foot that bill. |
| Â | *Â This team must maintain its own identity. Everybody knows who the parent club is. |
| Â | *Â WHatever gets people in the stands. maybe itll bring a winning season??? |
| Â | *Â We are the Amerks, not the Jr. Sabres! We are Rochester, not East Buffalo! |
| Â | *Â We are the Rochester Americans. Yes owned by the Sabres, but we are still the Amerks. |
| Â | *Â We can be part of the family but maintain our own identity. |
| Â | *Â We should be proud to be affiliated with the Sabres and their ownership |
| Â | *Â What does it matter? Put it on..don’t put it on. Doesn’t affect me one way or the other. |
| Â | *Â Yes, it’s a marriage made in hockey heaven |
| Â | *Â it makes sense but it kinda ruins the history of the amerks |
| Â | *Â people need to quit complaining |
| Â | * test |
| Â | *Â they should stick to the shoulder patches like the rest of the NHL does. |
| Â | *Â tradition,tradition,tradition! |
| Â | *Â we are the future sabres |
| Â | *Â Too much pride and history in the Amerks logo, it should absolutely *NOT* be under consideration of removal. If a jersey link of some kind is desired, a small Sabres logo or reference somwhere else on the jersey (arm or back) would be acceptable. |
| Â | *Â If you are willing to put a car ad on the jersey, I believe the Sabres logo is ok… Then again, if it bothers you that much, maybe the Panther should come back. Seems like they did a great job in Rochester. |
| Â | *Â Having the Sabres logo better than having a corporate sponsor, however if it is between Sabres logo and no logo. Go with the no logo. Having the parent team on the jersey is tacky and unnecessary. The Americans were the farm team to the Sabres for so long in the past and everyone knew who they were supplying. Maybe on the away jersey for branding to people who don’t know but not necessary. |
| Â | *Â I think being an affiliate the players who’s salary is being paid by the parent club should wear a patch that does not take away from the existing uniform. But players that are signed solely to the Amerks (on a PTO/ATO, etc.) shouldn’t have to have it on their’s |
| Â | *Â Tradition. We’re not the baby Sabres. We’ve been around much longer and have more history and tradition than all but 8 other teams in North America. There has never been another team’s logo on our jersey. |
| Â | *Â this is a stand alone and proud team, everyone knows who the parent club is so there is no need for a parent logo on the same sweater as the AMERK crest. PS thanks for the reunification. |
| Â | *Â The Rochester Americans have had a long history, longer than most NHL teams. During the time that they have been a farm team their uniforms & team name had never been the same as their parent clubs. Originality is needed to be the Amerks & not the Mini-Sabres |
| Â | *Â The Amerks are an institution and their jersey is iconic. There was no Sabres patch for the 29 years that the teams were affiliated before, don’t mess with a classic jersey. Also, as an Amerks fan that is not a Sabres fan I would not buy an Amerks jersey with a Sabres patch. I would however have no problem with a third jersey that somehow reflected the Sabres that would appease Sabres fans and that I could simply ignore. |
| Â | *Â This is a non-issue as far as I’m concerned. Everyone needs to just get over it. The Sabres OWN the Amerks now. They can put nicotine patches on the jerseys now if they want to! A Sabres patch would be a classy addition to the Amerks jersey — wayyyyy better than the numerous classless advertising patches that have been on there for several years running now. Why is it that no one seemed to be up in arms over THAT, but now when it’s something to do with Buffalo people are having hissy fits? Stop whining people, and be happy that we have this new arrangement! |
| Â | *Â The Rochester Americans Jerseys has much more historical relevancy then the Buffalo Sabers, and is often voted one of the best jerseys in all of professional sports. As a Rochesterian I have strong feelings against this and would consider it a huge disrespectful hit to our own civic pride. I do appreciated the Sabers and their financial support of the Amerks, but keep the Advertising of the Sabers to the Boards! I also believe that when the players are playing here in Rochester they players should wear Rochester LOGO’s on their track suites and ball caps. Just like when John Vanboxmeer was here, players fined! If They do force this logo onto the jersey I will buy one and stitch a big X threw the sabers logo in PROTEST. |
| Â | *Â The Amerks are older and more historic than the Sabres, don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge Sabres fan, but the Amerks play for ROCHESTER not Buffalo. |
| Â | *Â Only team in the AHL without one, I want us to stay unique in this and to not mess with the uniform. We all know who our parent team in and with all the news surrounding the sale, all other teams and their fans will know that Buffalo is our parent team. |
| Â | *Â Rochester’s team is older. Rochester is not Buffalo. The color schemes don’t match. Inconspicuous logos like the bottom hem being hurricane flags for Carolina’s affiliate is fine, but there is no way to do that with these two teams. |
| Â | *Â I’d like the Amerks jersey to remain pure. BUT – they’ve already had crappy advertising on the uni and NHL patches are the norm on AHL sweaters. Take off the advertising and replace it with the Sabres logo |
| Â | *Â It shouldn’t be overdone, but the connection between the Sabres and the Amerks should be strong enough that when the Amerks travel, kids automatically know that the Amerks are affiliated with the Sabres. |
| Â | *Â If it’s in place of the advertising patch that has been there for many years, a Sabres logo is fine with me. I just don’t want the best sweater in hockey looking like a patchwork quilt. |
| Â | *Â Although the two teams are now under one owner, the Amerks always have been, and always need to be their own, independent team with their own identity. We all know they’re owned by the same person, don’t need to have a logo on our jersey’s to point that out. |
| Â | *Â sabres bought the team so they can do what they want at least they arent changing OUR logo and color scheme |
| Â | *Â put it on the shoulder. everyone should stop crying because there would be no team here if he didn’t buy the team. |
| Â | *Â The Sabres are a vital part of the Amerks. The Sabres should also consider putting an Amerks logo on their jerseys because I also believe the Amerks are a vital part to the Sabres and their development |
| Â | *Â With Mr Pegula owning both teams it would be nice to see that togetherness. The players should use the buffalo logo as motivation for where they can be if that want it that bad. Plus it would be nice to buy a hat or shirt or anything with both Rochester or Buffalo logo on it. |
| Â | *Â The Amerks have a longer history than the Sabres and Rochester is NOT a suburb of Buffalo, be proud of your affiliation but no reason to ruin the great Amerks jerseys by adding the Sabres Logo. |
| Â | *Â if its an arm patch logo or small shoulder patch logo i would aprove, but not to replace the normal amerks crest |
| Â | *Â I think if it’s small enough on the shoulders, than it would look sweet, but the Amerks uniforms are already gorgeous. I would have to see examples for a real answer. |
| Â | *Â I understand the desire for the Sabres brand to be injected into the ownership’s newly acquired AHL affiliate. However, the Rochester Americans jersey is one-of-a-kind and has existed without the logo of their parent club since it’s birth. I would be fine with the Sabres logo anywhere else — on the ice, on the helmet, on the pants, on the boards — just not the jersey. |
|  | * To Rochester Americans’ hockey fans tradition is profound. -Excerpt from Amerks.com “Buffalo Sabres President Ted Black. “The Amerks have a rich history in the City of Rochester with some of the most passionate and loyal fans in the AHL[…].— To change the logo, something so integral to the team, would be a mistake. The Sabres and Amerks have historically worked very well together, while maintaining their own names and logos successfully throughout their long association. Considering how overlapped the teams’ markets are, the distinctive branding is a useful tool. Why change that now? I am a third generation Amerks fan. I am glad that the Sabres have reunited with the Amerks, but I don’t want the Americans’ team identity to be consumed by the Sabres’. A change like that would make my season ticket decision very easy. ~BL |
| Â | *Â I take pride in the Rochester Americans being from Rochester and want it to be just about Rochester. A Sabres logo elsewhere around the rink is fine but it’d be nice if people took pride in the team being just in Rochester and not anywhere else. |
| Â | *Â I think it’s neat for the teams to display some sort of connection to their parent club on the jerseys. I’d rather see a Sabres logo than an ad. But in the end, it doesn’t really matter–the colors, logos, name, etc don’t matter so long as the team succeeds. |
| Â | *Â The Pegula administration believes very strongly in tradition. One of the Amerks’ great traditions is they’ve never had an affiliate patch on the shoulders of their jerseys. I believe the Sabres should honor that tradition and find space elsewhere (ads on boards, signage around arena, etc) to show their affiliation with the Americans. |
| Â | *Â This is rochester not buffalo. I’m happy buffalo is our parent team. But for over 50 years we never have had our parent team on our jersey. Why star now |
| Â | *Â I just don’t understand the need for it, I have no problem with the Sabres but everyone knows we are affiliated with Buffalo, I don’t see the need for a constant reminder on our jersey. |
| Â | *Â As a Sabres fan first, I like the logo on the jersey, but the Amerks jersey has such history, it is hard to change it. |
| Â | *Â I think that the amount of trouble it has already caused, clearly states that it shouldn’t be done unless it is deemed a non-starter issue with our new owners… Its very troubling for some (not me), so I think it shouldn’t be done. |
| Â | *Â Even though the Amerks are part of the Sabres organization, I think they still need their own identity. |
| Â | *Â Everyone will know the Amerks are affiliated with Buffalo anyway, there is no need to change a sweater that has essentially stayed the same since it’s inception 14 years BEFORE the Sabres even existed. The Amerks are too storied of a franchise to simply turn into the “Baby Sabres” overnight. Cross-promotion, Sabres merchandise and even dual logo merch is fine with me but let the Amerks be their own team on the ice. |
| Â | *Â It is bad enough we are affliated with the Sabres. I don’t want to have to see their shitty logo every game this season. I don’t want to be reminded that we are affliated with the worst fans in hockey every time I go to the game. This move has seriously made me like the Amerks less. Fuck Buffalo, Fuck the Sabres, Fuck their Fans, and especially Fuck Terry Pegula. |
| Â | *Â We’re not the Sabres. We have more championships, more tradition, and a more stable look than they’ve had. They would never add a Rochester patch to their jerseys, and if not for Buffalo’s time in the AHL, they wouldn’t even have an NHL team today. Respect our history and the role we played in the formation of their team today, being their AHL arch-rival and the club that produced most of their prospects. |
| Â | *Â Putting another team’s logo on the Amerk’s sweaters is a direct insult to the long and proud history of the team as a professional hockey team. They don’t need some parent club’s stamp of approval for their existence or a constant reminder to the fans that their team is subservient to another. |
| Â | *Â We are the ROCHESTER AMERICANS. We have a greater tradition and history than the Sabres, and pride in our crest should always come first. We are not the University of Sabres or a suburb of Buffalo – we need to take pride in our city, and the ROCHESTER AMERICANS need to be a big part of that. |
| Â | *Â The Amerks have gone virtually their entire existence without any parent team logos on their jerseys, why start now? The Amerk jersey is one of the most famous and historical jersey in professional hockey and it shouldn’t be messed with. |
| Â | *Â Every other team has their NHL affiliate’s logo on their jersey. I don’t know what makes the Amerks any different . The AHL fans who are not also the fan of the NHL team that is their farm team live with this in everyother club , i don’t see what makes this any different. I say make it an option when buying the jersey whether or not they want the NHL patch or not, problem solved. |
| Â | *Â The Rochester Americans are a long-standing tradition in the city. Maybe a Sabres logo on the shoulder or something or I would even be ok with the swords behind the Amerk shield. |
| Â | *Â The partnership is very important to the entire Amerk organization. But on the same token the Americans are a seperate team from the Sabres. |
| Â | *Â The Amerks/Sabres union is great, but the Amerks have a strong identity and long history that does not need a Sabres logo to lend credibility. |
| Â | *Â I think it would be a nice addition to the jersey if it were on the sleeve but would definitely want the Amerks logo to still be the main focus. |
| Â | *Â This organization could continue to break with tradition and not have a Sabres logo on Amerks jerseys. But I like Rory Fitzpatrick’s idea of getting rid of the Country Max,Toyota sponsor logo that was on the front of the jerseys and replace it with a SMALL Sabres logo. The Sabres organization could also do something different and have a small Amerks logo somewhere on their jerseys as well. After all, aren’t both teams becoming a “family”‘ of sorts?? |
| Â | *Â For over 5 decades the Rochester Amerks jersey has been a shining symbol of the American Hockey League. Its uniqueness is well known. Despite having several parent teams, no NHL logo has appeared on the jersey. During the 29 years the Sabres were first with the Amerks, no Sabres logo appeared on the sweater. The fans in Rochester are well aware of the Sabres. They will be returning to the BCA in larger numbers now that we are reunited. There need not be anything additional on the uniform to remind them of who are parent is. This is a tradition that should not be tampered with. There are many other places where Buffalo can display their presence in Rochester, which won’t disturb those fans who have followed this team for the many decades. As a courtesy to them, please leave our unis alone. In the great scheme of things, it may not seem like a big deal…but symbolically it means a lot to those of us to treasure the Amerk crest and their uniform. I truly hope Sabres will understand and honor the long time fans by leaving the uni alone |
| Â | *Â The Rochester Amerk’s jersey is too unique and traditional in this city. I have no problem with a Sabers shoulder patch or something along those lines to acknowledge the affiliation. But please, do not change the red white and blue jerseys. |
| Â | *Â A small shoulder patch that represents the relationship and ties between to two clubs would be ideal. |
| Â | *Â Sabres fan here… Honestly, would you rather have an advertisement on their shoulders or the parent team’s insignia which has become a hockey icon? |
| Â | *Â Why not? Most all other affiliates do. For me, this affiliation is a proud tie strengthening neighboring WNY cities and celebrating each other and our region. I’d not protest an Amerk’s patch on a Sabres jersey either, even though that’s not the norm. Go Sabres/Amerks! -Proud WNYer. |
| Â | *Â The Amerks have a strong tradition in their crest and this is the team they should be proud to play for. |
| Â | *Â The amerks have been in existance for 50+ seasons and never once have they inculded another logo on their jersey! They are the Rochester Americans not the Roc-Buff Am-bers. |
| Â | *Â No change to Americans logo. If they want to add small sabres logo to shoulders or small logo below back neckline, ok. |
| Â | *Â It really doesn’t make any difference to me one way or the other. I cannot, however, understand how dead set against it some fans are. |
| Â | *Â Keep the Amerks Pure – that means no Sabres and no silly advertising. Everyone is upset about the Sabres but some goofball ad is okay? If they have to advertise – let the Sabres logo be the advertisement. |
| Â | *Â As long as it is small and doesn’t overtake the Amerk Logo. They do own the team, and plan to spend a ton of money into the organization. Many AHL teams have a patch indicating their parent team. |
| Â | *Â There are plenty of other ways to advertise the team around the area and the arena without changing a jersey older than the parent franchise. |
| Â | *Â Small additional hockey related patches are nice adds to uniforms in same vein as anniversary and finals patches. I would rather have hockey patches than advertising patches. |
| Â | *Â I have no problem with the Sabres logo being on the Amerks jersey but I think great care sheould betaken as to where it is placed. |
| Â | *Â I’m happy to have a strong affiliation again. If this is the price to pay for it, I am willing to let it happen. |
| Â | *Â same owner, same principle! Same wins!!! I hope to be an Amerk season ticket holder. Is it the same price for one child seat if I but my adult seat? Financially, I may wait until next year. |
| Â | *Â Our uniform is sacred. The ill will created would outweigh the benefit to the sabres market. My friend is a sabres fan first and amerks second and even he said you can’t do that. |
| Â | *Â If they want to replace the Toyota/ESL sponsorship patch on the front of the jersey, it would be fine by me. Replacing the stars on the shoulders, not so much. |
| Â | *Â If they want to add the Sabres logo in place of the advertisement on the front then fine. But definitely not on the shoulder. |
| Â | *Â Mind games: Always thought teams like Philly have a stronger on-ice presence because of their direct tie to the Flyers. The relationship between the Amerks and Sabres is on we should all be proud of and celebrate. |
| Â | *Â If you look at other AHL teams owned by thier parent NHL teams you see that NHL’s team logo somewhere on the AHL’s team jersey. I see no problem with the Sabre’s logo on the Amerks Jersey. They own the team |
| Â | *Â This is a sabre market already. There isn’t a need for such a drastic change. That will cost more fand than it will create. |
| Â | *Â While it makes sense because Buffalo is the parent team, Rochester has a sense of pride and history, and by adding the Sabres logo, it takes away a bit of Rochester tradition. Another team with a longstanding history in the AHL, the Hershey Bears, do not have the Washington Capitals on their jersey. |
| Â | *Â I believe in their ownership, regardless of tradition, they have the right to expand their own brand. That being said, I hope they do it in a way that maintains the integrity of Americans. Outside of them becoming the “Junior Sabres” or something, I am willing give them some room. |
| Â | *Â As a long time Amerks fan, tradition is a cornerstone of hockey history here, along with hanging division championship and Calder Cup banners…The team should return to the traditional white jersey’s at home, and the blue on the road- adorned with the “Classic Amerks Crest.” In an effort to recognize and show appreciation to the Sabre organization, perhaps something like a circular embroidered patch in on the shoulder/sleeves, or replacing those Toyota (?) emblems that were on the right chest area of last years jersey’s. |
| Â | *Â A Sabres patch on the Americans jersey would be overkill. We all know the sabres are the new parent team, but we are the ROCHESTER AMERICANS and not a suburb of Buffalo. We have one of the best logos/jerseys in all of hockey and it should be left as is. I also did not like Pegula’s comment about the amerks being the Univeristy of Sabres or something to that effect. |
| Â | *Â it can go on ONE side of the shoulder but not in a dominant spot. the amerks have one of the best jerseys in hockey for decades, lets not change it simply bc the sabres are back in town |
| Â | *Â i’m old fasioned & a traditionalist, so i say no, but to me it’s a minor thing, it’s more important to me that we have a fun & exciting team to watch. |
| Â | *Â It will reinforce the partnership between the two teams. When a local Sabres fan is catching the Amerks highlights on the 11 o’clock news, he might think to himself “hey, I should go see those guys sometimes”. |
| Â | *Â I know a good chunk of the AHL teams have their parents’ logo on their jerseys in some way, but I would still prefer for the Amerks to maintain their own identity as much as possible. If a Sabres logo must be put on the jersey, though, I would hope for it to be in the form of a shoulder patch on one side. |
| Â | *Â We were with them 29 years and no logo. But now No way.Leave it the way it is. I am not a fan of ANY patch on the jersey. Unless it is a league patch. |
| Â | *Â Unobtrusive logo patch is fine. I’d prefer the parent club logo over say, an advertiser’s patch. Wouldn’t want the patch any bigger than the toyota one of previous seasons. I’d strongly disagree with changing the main shield logo, or replacing the stars (or R/shields for 55 throwbacks) on the sleeves. |
| Â | *Â Amerk jerseys are classic and should not be altered. Living in texas so can not have season tickets. Used to be a season ticket holder. |
| Â | *Â The Amerks jersey is a classic and has never had our parent team logo on it at any point… The amerks have been around longer then the Sabres and i don’t think we need to be reminded that the sabres are our parent/partner… Please do not mess with one of the best jerseys in all of hockey or tred on our traditions… Rochester is the 8th oldest team in north america and needs to be treated with that respect. |
Keith,
I appreciate what you are doing with your site Let’s Go Amerks. Certainly,
the local media coverage of our team has been lacking in the past few years. Let’s Go Amerks helps fill the void.
I am dissapointed, however, that you are not editing out the profanity of the readers remarks that are being posted! (The F-bombs which are in some of the comments are really not needed!) It takes away from the quality of the site. I hope Let’s Go Amerks will be reader friendly for all ages!
Looking forward to a new era of Amerks hockey with the old tradition.
Mark L
I understand the concern and don’t care for the language either but there’s no reason to “censor” anyone. Up until recently discussion of articles usually happened on messages boards or on Facebook and not here, if it becomes a regular issue my thoughts could change. Thanks for stopping reading!