BLOOM TAKING IN THE PRO EXPERIENCE DURING HIS TIME WITH AMERKS
Apr 23, 2022By Suzie Cool
Earlier this week, the Buffalo Sabres announced the signing of forward Josh Bloom to a three-year, entry-level NHL contract. Later that day he reported to Rochester, where he’ll conclude the remainder of the current 2021-22 campaign on an Amateur Tryout (ATO) with the Amerks.
“I wouldn’t say I was surprised; I was just excited. Excitement ran through my body and just getting to experience that with my family was very special,” mentioned Bloom when asked what was running through his mind when his first NHL contract was finalized.
Luckily for Bloom, this wasn’t his first experience with the Amerks coaching staff or players. Bloom was a part of Prospect Challenge this past September at the LECOM Harbor Center, giving him an opportunity to showcase his skillset and get integrated with the Buffalo organization.
WATCH: JOSH BLOOM FOLLOWING HIS FIRST PRACTICE WITH ROCHESTER
“In the Prospect Challenge he put himself in good positions offensively, got some breakaways…feel like he’s got that explosive, athletic, attacking style of a player,” stated Amerks head coach Seth Appert when asked what he remembers about Bloom’s skillset from September.
Bloom enjoyed his first glimpse of pro hockey, saying Prospect Challenge was an eye-opening learning experience for him.
Jumping right in.
— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) April 18, 2022
Welcome, Josh Bloom! pic.twitter.com/RObcDAcwRo
“It was really eye-opening with the professionalism that’s here in Rochester and in Buffalo and kind of how they go about their days and kind of learning off of that from the players and coaching staff.”
Bloom, who’s just 18 years old, joins the Amerks after playing the last three seasons with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League and Oakville Blades of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League from 2018-22. In 121 career games, Bloom registered 75 points on 36 goals and 29 assists.
This past season was Bloom’s best as he topped all Spirit skaters with career-highs with 30 goals and 60 points while finishing fifth with his 30 assists in 66 games. Of Bloom’s 30 goals, seven were shorthanded and five came on the man-advantage. He also served as an alternate captain for the Spirit.
“My coach put me in great situations. I think my linemates were unbelievable in helping me succeed this year and I think that had a lot to do with my success,” commented Bloom when asked what he focused on offensively with Saginaw this season.
Bloom was drafted by Buffalo in the third round (95th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft and will be just 19 years old when the start of the 2022-23 campaign rolls around. Meaning that the young forward will have to return to the OHL for another season before making his jump to the pro ranks.
Appert is hoping Bloom can get an even better sense of what it takes to be a pro and apply it to his summer training in his time in Rochester.
“Just experience that he can gain being around this and seeing the competitiveness here. You know, hard work and practice – seeing all the competitive practices and all of these things he can take and apply into his summer training.”
