Former Buffalo Sabres first-round draft pick and Stanley Cup Champion Daniel Paille was named an assistant coach with the Golden Griffin program in August, 2021.
Prior to his promotion, Paille spent two seasons (2019-21) as a volunteer assistant coach with the team, assisting in the day-to-day operations of the program.
During his time at Canisius, Paille has aided in the development of the team’s forward group while also overseeing the team’s penalty kill unit. He has mentored three players who have earned a total of five All-AHA selections. Paille has been instrumental in the Griffs making pair of appearances in the title game of the AHA Tournament, highlighted by the program claiming its second crown in 2022-23.
A native of Welland, Ontario, Paille was selected 20th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2002 National Hockey League Entry Draft. He spent 11 seasons in the NHL, amassing 85 goals and 87 assists in 582 regular-season contests split between the Sabres, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. He chipped in 19 points (9g, 10a) in 75 postseason games, helping the Bruins capture the Stanley Cup in 2011 and make a finals appearance in 2013.
After his time in the NHL, Paille joined Brynäs IF of the Swedish Hockey League for two seasons before retiring at the end of the 2017-18 campaign.
Paille played junior hockey for the Ontario Hockey League's Guelph Storm, helping the squad capture the league championship in 2004. He was a member of Team Canada for the 2003 IIHF World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and served as Canada's captain in 2004, winning silver medals at both events.
Paille is working towards his bachelor’s degree in commerce with a major in accounting from Athabasca University in Alberta. He and his wife, Dana, are the proud parents of a son, Emmanuel, and a daughter, Madeleine.
