The Rebellion Awakens is a tribute to the Buffalo Sabres
The Rebellion Awakens kicks off the Sentrys of Terrene trilogy with a gritty mix of science fantasy, military rebellion, and post-apocalyptic tension.
The World of Terrene may lie in ruin, but Sabres fans will feel right at home with the tributes scattered across every chapter. Sabres references fuel the foundation of the book’s characters, factions, and geography.
They shape the DNA of the world, sometimes as subtle nods, sometimes as full-blown salutes. You’ll spot them everywhere—from names to colors to rivalries. And just for fun, I threw in references to a few other NHL teams too. Because what’s a good story without enemies?
Let’s break down how the Blue and Gold charges through The Rebellion Awakens.
Sabre, Sunrise, and the Bruin Division
It starts with Sabre Kahne Kjaergaard, a lead protagonist whose first name wears its inspiration proudly. She lives in the city of Sunrise, capital of the People’s Republic of Vranom. Sunrise doubles as a wink to Florida Panthers territory, one of Buffalo’s divisional rivals.
The stakes escalate when Sabre crosses paths with the Bruin Division, a hostile force that reflects the longstanding rivalry between Buffalo and Boston. The Bruin Division ends up stirring the narrative. You’ll feel the animosity page by page.
Tage and the Bison Brigade
Tage Ras-Svendson leads the Bison Brigade, a clear nod to the iconic animal from the Sabres’ crest. Tage’s name honors center Tage Thompson, while his surname pulls from Rasmus Dahlin, Rasmus Asplund (a member of the Sabres at the time), and a play on “Svenska,” tying the characters to their Swedish roots.
Tage’s swords cross frequently—another visual pulled straight from the Sabres logo. The Brigade he leads features names like Aleksandr Tuck, Ras, Joki, and Vic. Each member nods to key players in the Sabres lineup and pipeline at the time of publication: Alex Tuch, Henri Jokiharju, Victor Olofsson, and Aleksandr Kisakov. “Tuck” ends with a “K” for one reason—I already used “Tuch” in Civil War.
JR, the Goatheads, and a color scheme of chaos
The book also features a character called JR, whose dialogue draws inspiration from legendary broadcaster Rick Jeanneret. The reversed initials give it away, and longtime fans will hear his voice in every one of his lines.
Then there’s the Goatheads. This faction, gritty and aggressive, owes its name to the iconic red-and-black logo Buffalo wore during the late ’90s and early 2000s. The Insurgency, a major force in the book, fights under a flag of blue and gold—though they occasionally sport red and black too. The double color palette merges both Sabres eras into one faction.
Another tribute hides in the name Imlach Stagg. The surname “Stagg” caught my eye for its raw edge, while “Imlach” tips the hat to Punch Imlach, the Sabres’ original GM and head coach. Even one character’s middle name, Hasek, salutes Dominik Hasek—arguably the greatest goaltender of all time.
A league of enemies
Where there’s Sabres lore, there’s plenty of room for rivalries. Rahls, a city from Tage’s past, draws its name from Raleigh, North Carolina—home of the Carolina Hurricanes. In 2006, Carolina ended Buffalo’s Cinderella run in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. That series stung, so Rahls had to earn a place in Terrene.
You’ll also find Maple and Leaf Streets in Sunrise, referencing the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Vranom military relies heavily on Reds and Rangers units, named for Detroit and New York, two long-standing foes of Buffalo hockey.
The antagonists? They form a brutal trio: Venn Rhine, Eich, and Risto. These three reflect Sam Reinhart, Jack Eichel, and Rasmus Ristolainen—players who bailed on Buffalo in 2021. I changed the spelling of “Rhine” to better match Reinhart’s sound, while Eich and Risto speak for themselves.
Together, they serve the Venn Order, a dominating force whose colors match the Bruins’ palette of black, brown, and yellow. The Venn Order rises as the book’s central villainous power.
The Knights of the Venn Order
Fans will recognize another layer in the Venn Order’s full title—the Knights of the Venn Order. That’s no accident. After Eichel’s departure to Vegas, I couldn’t resist adding the Golden Knights into the mix.
Expect that tension to rise in the sequels.
What’s after The Rebellion Awakens?
The Rebellion Awakens only scratches the surface. Sentrys of Terrene spans three books, and each one will dig deeper into Sabres lore. More tributes. More rivals. More showdowns drawn from decades of NHL emotion.
The Bruins won’t get off easy. Neither will the Knights. And while the Leafs pop up on occasion, they’ll likely end up as comic relief. After all, Buffalo has owned them for most of the past 50-plus years.
This world rises from the ashes of collapse, but its heart beats Blue and Gold.
