Additional Interviews Darcy Regier Lindy Ruff Ryan Miller Drew Stafford Tyler Ennis Ville Leino (Finnish)

HELSINKI, FINLAND --- Lindy Ruff closed his morning media conference at Hartwall Areena today with the news that everyone has been expecting: he will name a team captain tonight at a team dinner in downtown Helsinki.

Follow @Sabresdotcom on Twitter for the exclusive announcement of the captaincy later today, along with video from the dinner on Sabres.com. Keep in mind that Finland is seven hours ahead of Eastern Time, so it could come anytime after 12 Noon ET.

Ruff didn’t tip has hat as to whether it would be a full time or rotating captain, only joking with the media as he walked away by saying, “Do you want me to tell you now?”

The Sabres haven’t had a captain since Craig Rivet was claimed on re-entry waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 26. Seven different players wore the “C” during the preseason.

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Ennis

Following practice the team gathered at center ice and sang “Happy Birthday” to Tyler Ennis who turned the ripe old age of 22 today. A few minutes later they collected together one more time to serenade Ville Leino with the Finnish rendition of “Happy Birthday” -- which translated is “Hyvaa syntymapaivaa!” The newly acquired Leino is 28 years old today.

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I had a chance to walk around Hartwall Areena after practice, and made sure to make the trip downstairs to the practice rink known as “The Cave.” Very cool facility – literally. It sits 25 meters underground, so the air in the rink is very cold. Check out this video we shot for more information:

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The building is also decorated with numerous posters highlighting its previous major sporting events and concerts. While roaming the hallways today I stumbled upon the obligatory Roxette concert posters, along with a couple of others that will make Buffalo sports fans smile.

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And did you know: Hartwall Areena was the last concert for Geri Halliwell with the Spice Girls on May 26, 1998. Of course this is just a blatant opportunity for me to mention Ginger Spice in a Sabres blog. People of the world, spice up your life!