A day after being waived by the Minnesota Wild on his birthday, center/enforcer Zenon Konopka has been claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Sabres.
#sabres claim Konopka off waivers. #mnwild
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) January 3, 2014
Michael Russo was the first to report the news.
Zenon Konopka has been claimed off waivers by the #sabres, I hear #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) January 3, 2014
Per Russo’s report, Konopka has the best faceoff win percentage and most fights in the NHL since his career began in 2006.
According to Pro Hockey Talk, Konopka was in the final year of two-year, $1.85 million contract with the Wild.
Konopka is known as a tough guy on the ice, but away from the rink he’s like a big teddy bear… or bunny.
“Everything’s backwards,” Konopka said describing himself to the Star Tribune last year. “I’ve got ‘Hoppy.’ I drink wine. I have a wine label. I own a bunch of businesses. It’s the complete opposite of my on-ice persona.”
Hoppy is his beloved pet bunny.
@mnwild Hoppy and I would love to thank the state of hockey 4 all the support,we loved the community& people of this great state the most !!
— Zenon Konopka (@ZenonKonopka) January 3, 2014
