Sabres Name Samoyed Ralph Team Dog

The 8-month-old Samoyed will train to become a service dog for a local veteran during the 2026-2027 season.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Dogs

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a white Samoyed puppy in a navy and gold vest standing on an empty ice rink under cool arena light. — The Buffalo Sabres introduced Ralph, an 8-month-old Samoyed, as the team's official dog for the 2026-2027 season, training to become a service dog for a local veteran. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The Buffalo Sabres introduced Ralph, an 8-month-old Samoyed, as the team's official dog for the 2026-2027 season. Ralph was named after original Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson.

Why it matters

Ralph's role ties the team's mascot program to a service-dog training effort for a local veteran through Pawsitive for Heroes, a program run by WNY Heroes. The team dog program is now in its sixth year, extending a community-facing tradition in Buffalo.

Ralph is an 8-month-old Samoyed, while the prior team dog, 10-week-old Great Dane Audie, served during the 2024-2025 season. The announcement does not specify a completion date for Ralph's service-dog training.

The players

Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres are the NHL franchise based in Buffalo, New York, which introduced Ralph as its official team dog.

WNY Heroes

WNY Heroes is a Western New York organization that runs the Pawsitive for Heroes program training service dogs for local veterans.

The details

Ralph will train through Pawsitive for Heroes, a program run by WNY Heroes, to become a service dog for a local veteran. He takes over the team dog role for the 2026-2027 season, continuing a program that is now in its sixth year.

2024-2025 hockey season: Audie served as the Sabres' team dog.
2026-2027 season: Ralph serves as the Sabres' team dog.

Season Trajectory

Ralph continues the Sabres' team dog program, now in its sixth year, following Audie's role in the 2024-2025 season. The placement links the team's in-arena tradition to a veterans' service-dog effort in Buffalo.

Buffalo residents following the Sabres can see Ralph at team events during the 2026-2027 season. Ralph's service-dog training through Pawsitive for Heroes connects the team's presence to veterans in the Buffalo area.

The takeaway

Team mascot programs can double as community service, as the Sabres' team dog arrangement with Pawsitive for Heroes shows. Readers interested in service-dog support can look to local programs such as WNY Heroes.