John Vogl, who covers the Buffalo Sabres for the Buffalo News, led his Sunday notebook with a piece on New York Rangers Coach John Tortorella, who played at Maine from 1978 to 1981. Here's a sampling from the story:

Tortorella has earned a reputation as a tyrant. He's outspoken with players and reporters, and he's not afraid to confront or criticize either group.

"It all gets blown out of proportion as far as that I'm some sort of lunatic that's constantly screaming at players and kicking them," Tortorella said in Madison Square Garden. "No, I care about the players. But I'm going to coach them. I am going to coach them. Some players don't like to be coached, but I'm going to coach them."

Tortorella recently became the winningest American-born coach with 245 career victories, passing Peter Laviolette last week.

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Checking in on a few more former Black Bears in the NHL ...

Teddy Purcell, Los Angeles Kings: four goals, 11 assists in 30 games

Ben Guite, Colorado Avalanche: four goals, seven assists in 41 games

Dustin Penner, Edmonton Oilers: 15 goals, 18 assists in 69 games

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