Pegula's family to be involved with team

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Terry Pegula's passion goes well beyond the rink. You can tell that family means a lot to the new team owner, who lives in Florida.

He has a child who lives in California and another one in upstate New York. Tuesday was very special to him, not only because he took over the Sabres, but he had his family together for the first time in a long time.

Rick Jeanneret said, "Well, all the new owners and commissioners are all walking through the door and getting ready for a great occurrence."

The Voice of the Sabres, Rick Jeanneret, called the play-by-play on this important day for Terry Pegula and his family.

Pegula's son, Michael, said, "I don't think it's all sunk in. I think it's almost surreal at this point."

Pegula's five children beamed as they watched their dad's dream come true. The new Sabres owner couldn't hide his love for them, at times getting emotional.

Pegula said, "I helped coach them. My daughter Laura, she's probably the biggest Sabres fan in town."

Pegula's wife, Kim, said, "That's him. What you see is what you get. He came from a poor background, as did I, and so we're very fortunate for all the things we have."

Pegula was raised in a Pennsylvania coal mining town. He built his billion dollar fortune in the natural gas and oil industry. He and his wife, both die-hard Sabres fans, now live in Florida and have three children. Matthew is 11.

16-year-old Jessie and 14-year-old Kelly are Pegula's 'tweetie bird twins.' The teens fired off more tweets to Sabres fans during the press conference.

"Honestly, I was like, 'This is so cool.' It's not every day your dad owns a hockey team," said Kelly.

Jessie added, "Kelly and I didn't think we'd get as much attention as we did. It's overwhelming,actually."

Pegula also has two older children: Laura and Michael. hey believe the team is in good hands.

Pegula's daughter, Laura Biesinger, said, "My dad surrounds himself with knowledgeable people,good people."

"He's just a fighter. He never gives up. He instills that in his family and everyone around him. You'll see. Actions speak louder than words," added Michael.

Pegula's wife is from western New York. She said that unlike previous owners, she expects the entire Pegula family to be involved in the Sabres organization.