Chris Drury
Former Sabres co-captain and clutch playoff performer, drafted by Quebec Nordiques.
Christopher Ellis Drury (born August 20, 1976) is an American professional ice hockey executive and former player. He has served as the president and general manager for the New York Rangers since May 5, 2021. He previously served as the general manager of the Rangers American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. Drury is a Hobey Baker Award-winner with Boston University, a Calder Memorial Trophy winner with the Colorado Avalanche, a Stanley Cup champion with the Avalanche, a two-time Olympic silver medalist with the United States and a former captain of the Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers. He was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015. As a child, he also won the Little League Baseball World Series Championship with his hometown team from Trumbull, Connecticut.
- Role
- Captain / Center
- Team
- Buffalo Sabres
- Draft Year
- 1995
- Captaincy Start
- 2004
- Departure Year
- 2009
- Jersey Number
- 26
Lore & Background
Drury was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques 72nd overall in the third round of the 1994 NHL entry draft. He played for the Buffalo Sabres from 2003 to 2007, serving as co-captain with Daniel Brière from 2005 to his departure via free agency in 2007. He wore number 23 in Buffalo in honor of his childhood hero, New York Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly. Drury left the Sabres as an unrestricted free agent in the 2007 off-season, signing a five-year, $35.25 million contract with the New York Rangers.
In Their Own Story
The arena lights hummed overhead as the locker room fell silent. Drury stood at the center of the bench, tape wrapped tight around his stick. He looked around at his teammates, the weight of the captain's 'C' heavy on his chest. 'One shift at a time,' he said, his voice low but firm. The crowd noise faded into a distant roar. He knew what was required tonight. No flashy moves, just hard work, checking, and trust. He tapped the ice with his blade, signaling the line to move. The puck was waiting.
Reader's Guide
Drury's tenure with the Sabres is remembered for his clutch playoff performances, including two game-winning goals in the first round against the New York Islanders in 2007 and a game-tying goal with 7.7 seconds left in regulation in game five of the second round against the New York Rangers. He scored a game-winner in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Ottawa Senators. Drury was a co-captain alongside Daniel Brière, not a sole captain, and his departure was as a free agent, not via trade.
Did You Know?
- Drury was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques, not the Buffalo Sabres.
- He served as co-captain of the Sabres from 2005 to 2007, not as sole captain starting in 2004.
- Drury left the Sabres as an unrestricted free agent in 2007, not via trade in 2009.
- He wore number 23 with the Sabres, not number 26.
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