LOVE FOR THE CITY AND ORGANIZATION BROUGHT PROW BACK TO ROCHESTER
Oct 10, 2022By Suzie Cool
“Just the way they treat people around here and now I'm a little older, too, and you kind of find yourself in more of a leadership role. It’s just been great all around,” commented Rochester Americans defenseman Ethan Prow when asked what made his experience with the Buffalo Sabres organization last season different from years prior in the pros.
While Prow went into the offseason with no contract, he opted to return to the organization on a brand-new, multi-year AHL deal with the Amerks on July 13, keeping him in Rochester for the next two years. Not because he was looking for his next long-term contract, but because Prow genuinely loves the city and the camaraderie within the locker room in both Buffalo and Rochester.
“We just liked what was here,” explained Prow when talking about making the deal official and bringing his family back to the Flower City. “Rochester was a great place from staff to everybody, and we had a good team and good camaraderie and it kind of always held that special place in our hearts. So, once that door opened it was easy one to say yes to.”
Last year Prow served as one of the Amerks assistant captains, appearing in 70 games and leading all Rochester defensemen with 10 goals, 39 assists and 49 points. Prow went finished the regular season ranking third in the AHL amongst all blueliners in both assists and points and was one of 19 defensemen in the league to reach double digits in goals.
During the Amerks’ 2022 Calder Cup Playoff run, Prow added four assists in 10 postseason matchups for Rochester while also skating in four contests with the Sabres in 2021-22. At the age of 29, Prow earned his first-ever NHL recall on Dec. 29 before scoring his first NHL goal during the third period against the New Jersey Devils that very same night.
While Prow would undoubtedly love to get another chance in the National Hockey League, he understands his role in Rochester is to take things one step at a time and focus on the team-driven success.
“I mean, we'll take it one step at a time. That's kind of how I always done it,” Prow laughed off when asked if getting a call-up to the Sabres this season weighed in on his decision to re-sign with Rochester. “You got to take care of your game first. I mean, there's always things that you need to work on, and you need to try to help the team win first. I think it's kind of one of those things that when the team wins, everybody's winning.”
Entering his eighth pro season, Prow has totaled 165 points on 42 goals and 123 assists in 290 career AHL games between Rochester, Springfield and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, while also adding a pair of assists in four contests with the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL).
Prior to turning pro, Prow played four seasons at St. Cloud State University (NCHC), amassing 99 points on 19 goals and 80 assists in 149 games from 2012-2016. As a senior in 2015-16, he captained the Huskies to an NCHC championship while earning recognition as NCHC Player of the Year and a nomination as a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.
As Prow embarks on his second season with the Amerks, he’s excited to continue to lead a team in a city that feels like home with an organization where the opportunities can present themselves at any moment.
“They gave me the opportunity to get my first NHL game, we love the city and the fans, and it became home to us,” finished Prow.