ROSEN RELISHING HIS EXPERIENCE AT DEVELOPMENT CAMP
Jul 14, 2022By Suzie Cool
The first question that future Buffalo Sabres prospect Isak Rosen was asked after his first practice at Development Camp was how he wanted his name pronounced. Rosen laughed when the question came about, stating that in Sweden they emphasize the ‘I’ as an ‘E’ in his first name.
However, Rosen knows that pronouncing his name that way in North America can “be a little hard for you guys sometimes.”
It was a solid start to Rosen’s first press conference after officially signing his three-year, entry-level contract with Buffalo back on May 31. He got a good chuckle from the media in the room and showed that he was comfortable in this new environment.
“Yeah, it's amazing to be here and see the facility and meet the staff and all the other prospects," stated Rosen was asked what it was like to finally be taking in his first trip to North America.
Rosen was selected by the Sabres in the first round, 14th overall, of the 2021 NHL Draft.
After being drafted last year, the young forward opted to stay back in Sweden this past season to split time between Leksands IF and Leksands IF Jr. of the Swedish Hockey League. Rosen went on to rack up four points on two goals and two assists in 28 games in the SweHL, averaging about 7:52 of total ice time at the highest level in his native country. Eventually, Rosen was loaned to Mora IK of Sweden’s second-tier league, where he went on to register another goal and assist in three games.
Upon the conclusion of Rosen’s 2021-22 season, he felt that Buffalo had too many good opportunities for him overseas that he needed to try and take advantage of.
“I feel like you don’t get too many opportunities to sign a new contract and, also, I felt like Buffalo has very good opportunities here. I think it’s perfect for me to be here.”
And what better way to kick off Rosen’s new contract than with the Sabres at Development Camp, which hasn’t happened since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s very good for me, I think, because it’s going to be a long time until the next time I come over. So, it's nice to see the city and meet the boys and stuff,” finished Rosen when asked how beneficial it will be to have the experience under his belt.
Looking ahead, there’s a big possibility that Rosen could end up seeing some playing time in the Sabres organization next season rather than being back in the SweHL. We’ll no doubt see the young forward at Prospects Challenge and Sabres Training Camp in the months to come, however, if Rosen were to get a shot playing in the pros in North America in 2022-23, it would most likely start with the Rochester Americans.