Pat LaFontaine, the Sabres President of Hockey Operations, believes in destiny and that our lives, like a book, are filled with chapters.
One of the favorite chapters of LaFontaine's life took place during his six seasons in Buffalo back in the 1990's.
Scott Brown: "When you look back at those six years here what kind of memories do they bring back for you?"
Pat LaFontaine: "Well I have fond memories, two of our children were born here, my daughter Brianna and my son Daniel. I have fond memories of being a very young family, being involved in the community, being the captain of the Sabres. Those were special years for me and my family."
It was during his years here that LaFontaine began relationships with Women and Children's Hospital and Roswell Park Cancer Institute that in turn led to the founding of LaFontaine's charity, Companions In Courage, which now has built interactive playrooms for children at 18 hospitals around the country.
Pat LaFontaine: "The impetus and the inspiration started right here in Buffalo with some very courageous young patients, young children who were going through tough times that inspired me to write a book and really taught me about what real courage is."
Scott Brown: "Has that always been part of your ethos to give back?"
Pat LaFontaine: "Well my mom and dad always would say hey never forget where you came from and always remember try to make a difference whenever you can."
LaFontaine's success on the ice, and his generosity off it, led to him becoming one of the most beloved athletes in Buffalo's history.
Scott Brown: "What is it about this community Pat that you've connected with?"
Pat LaFontaine: "I think it's the people and it being a community of caring and hard work. There's obviously a hard work mentality, that's something we want to identify with our players."
Scott Brown: "Do you want the team to be a reflection of the community in that regard?"
Pat LaFontaine: "I think the identity fits the kind of philosophy and the types of players that I like. I think you obviously have to mix that with skill, some speed and some size, but I don't think you get anywhere without hard work."
LaFontaine says it's going to take a lot of hard work, and patience, to turn around the Sabres.
As a role model, LaFontaine points to the Chicago Blackhawks which used great draft picks, including Buffalo's Patrick Kane, combined with a few key agents, that's resulted in two Stanley Cups in the last four seasons.
Pat LaFontaine; "They were patient and they are one of a handful of organizations right now that have built that foundation to have stability year after year after year and are competing for a championship and that didn't happen overnight, and so to do it right you have to be a little bit patient."
Now as LaFontaine writes the next chapter in his life's story, he believes the time and the place are right.
Pat LaFontaine: "There's a sense of destiny, this is something that everything in my life has prepared me for an opportunity."
Scott Brown: "If it was an offer from a different team that you didn't have ties to would you have thought twice about it?"
Pat LaFontaine: "Oh yeah. I would have thought twice if it was different ownership. If you're going to be successful you have to be right at the top and we've got wonderful ownership who's committed that was number one. Number two the fact that it was in Buffalo and I had a history and knowing that this is a city that deserves a championship more than any city in North America in my opinion, that was a challenge that I embraced. And then having the connection and history here that just made it extra special. I don't know if I would have taken the job anywhere else."
