PROSPECTS CHALLENGE NOTES & QUOTES: SABRES HOST COLUMBUS TONIGHT
Sep 13, 2024
By Andrew Mossbrooks | @Mossbrooks48
Rookie camp is underway for the Buffalo Sabres and the Rochester Americans are well represented as the team skates into the annual Prospects Challenge at LECOM Harborcenter, beginning with a Friday night matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Sabres will play three games over four days. Here’s a look at Buffalo’s schedule:
Friday vs. Columbus Blue Jackets @ 7p.m.
Saturday vs. New Jersey Devils @ 7p.m.
Monday vs. Pittsburgh Penguins @ 5p.m.
All three games will be streamed live on Sabres.com.
More than 20 of the organization’s top prospects and invitees have reported to rookie camp for Buffalo, consisting of 13 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders. Of that group, 13 players had been in Rochester during the 2023-24 season, including four first round NHL draft picks in Ryan Johnson, Isak Rosen, Jiri Kulich, and Noah Ostlund. In addition to that quartet, Buffalo’s 14th overall selection from the most recent draft, Konsta Helenius, will also play.
“It’s exciting,” said Helenius. “It’ll be nice to play against other young players after playing against men overseas. It’s a little bit different with this being a smaller rink than the ones in Finland. I’ve tried to improve my physicality and I want to be faster. It’s going to be fun out there.”
“It’s an unbelievable group,” said Rochester head coach Mike Leone when talking about the group. “The talent is there, but I’ve really liked the compete level. The guys are staying on pucks and putting strong efforts on display. There’s a lot of talent on the ice for sure.”
Leone also confirmed after Friday morning skate that goaltender Scott Ratzlaff will get the first start in goal on the weekend.
DEPTH PLAYERS DRAWING ATTENTION
Forward Ty Cheveldayoff and defenseman Noah Laaouan will both be in Friday’s lineup to begin the Prospects Challenge. Cheveldayoff made his pro debut last season in ECHL-Maine, while Laaouan spent the bulk of his 2023-24 campaign in the ECHL, splitting time between Trois-Riveries and Jacksonville across 47 games.
“I think it’s about opportunities and you never know when they’re going to come,” said Leone. “It’s a really good point that they get to come and show who they are. You don’t know when you’re going to get another opportunity. It’s great for them to see what they can do at this level and gain confidence from it. I told them to just go out there, play hard, and be themselves.”
Leone has familiarity with the ECHL, having played parts of three seasons in the league, along with getting his start in coaching as an assistant in the ECHL in 2017-18.
NEXT STEP FOR ROSEN
Isak Rosen appeared in seven NHL games with Buffalo last season and finished tied for first in scoring with the Amerks with 50 points (20+30) in 67 games. Entering his third rookie camp, the Stockholm, Sweden native is hopeful to keep the Sabres jersey on heading into October.
“I’ve taken big steps,” said Rosen. “Now I need to take another step, and that’s to get to the NHL. That’s my only goal and I need to take that bigger step. It’s great (rookie camp). I get more time here to be on the ice and compete and be ready ahead of main camp. I need to work hard. It’s up to me. I need to show them (Buffalo) that I’m a player who can play in the NHL.”
Rosen’s NHL debut came Nov. 25 in New Jersey. He would go on to play additional games in December before returning to Rochester for the remainder of the year. Rosen finished as one of three Amerks to reach 20 goals and has amassed 87 points (34+53) over his two season, 133-game tenure with Rochester.
MESSAGE GOING INTO GAMEPLAY
“We’ve gone over a few things,” said Leone. “I think overall we want to set the standard of how we’re going to play. It’s from the top down in the organization. If someone watches us play tonight, what are they going to say? We want to be a relentless, competitive hockey team. How hard we change. How hard we forecheck. We want to establish the identity of how we want to play the game.”