WHO TO WATCH AT PROSPECTS CHALLENGE
Kulich, Rosen among five first-round picks on Sabres roster
Sep 12, 2023The Buffalo Sabres unveiled their roster for the 2023 Prospects Challenge, set to begin later this week at LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo, and Amerks fans should be excited.
The roster features not only four of the team’s first-round picks over the last three years, including highly touted prospects Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen who are both returning for their second year at the event, but offers a glimpse of what the future looks like for the organization.
Most importantly, though, its an indication of what the Amerks roster could potentially look like this season following an impressive run to the American Hockey League’s Eastern Conference Finals last season.
All eyes will undoubtedly be on former teammates Zach Benson, Buffalo’s 13th overall pick in this year’s Draft, as well as Matt Savoie, the ninth overall selection in 2022. The pair combined for 74 goals, 119 assists and 193 points this past season, finishing first and second on the team in scoring, respectively, while leading the team offensively and on both the penalty kill and power-play units.
Savoie, who made his pro debut with the Amerks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Hershey this past spring, set career-highs in goals (38) and points (95) with the Winnipeg ICE before adding 29 points in 19 playoff contests during the team’s run to the WHL Finals.
Benson, meanwhile, tallied 36 goals, 62 assists, and 98 points in 60 games with the ICE during the 2022-23 campaign, establishing career highs in every offensive category. He finished third among WHL skaters in points while ranking second in the league with a plus-68 rating.
The 18-year-old inked his three-year, entry-level deal with the Sabres back on July 28, becoming the second members of the Sabres’ 2023 draft class to do so, joining Anton Wahlberg.
For the second consecutive year, the Sabres will be joined by the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins to compete in a round-robin challenge featuring prospects from each team. The participating teams will each play three games over the course of the event.
Kulich and Rosen are two of seven players on Buffalo’s roster to appear in at least one game with the Amerks last season.
Named to the inaugural AHL Top Prospects Team for the 2022-23 season, Kulich put together one of the most productive seasons ever by an 18-year-old skater, leading the Amerks and finishing tied for sixth amongst all AHL rookies with 24 goals while his 46 points were tied for 11th among first-year players. Kulich, the youngest regular player in the AHL last season, was only the fourth player in league history to score more than 20 goals during his 18-year-old season (turning 19 after Jan. 1) and first since Robert Dome of Syracuse recorded 21 in 1997-98. Kulich also became just the second Amerks player in franchise history to reach the mark as an 18-year-old since Jozef Cierny scored 27 during his only season in Rochester in 1992-93.
Kulich, who turned 19 on Apr. 14, then notched 11 points in 12 Calder Cup Playoff games – including scoring a goal in each of his first six postseason contests – to help the Amerks reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2004. His seven goals and 11 points in the postseason rank second and third amongst all rookies, respectively, while his six-game goal-scoring streak and seven-game point were the longest in the playoffs.
He also won a silver medal with Czechia at the 2023 World Junior Championship, scoring the overtime game-winner against Rosen and Sweden to advance to the gold medal game.
Rosen finished his rookie campaign with 37 points (14+23) in 66 games before notching eight points (4+4) in 14 postseason appearances during the team’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Another first-rounder positioned to make his pro debut with the Amerks this season is defenseman Ryan Johnson, who the Sabres signed to an entry-level contract back in May.
Johnson, who the Sabres selected 31st overall in 2019, saw his senior season at the University of Minnesota end with an overtime loss to Quinnipiac in the national championship game in April.
Johnson, 21, had 18 points (4+14) in 40 games as a senior. His plus-22 rating was a career best and ranked 13th among NCAA defensemen.
Johnson's resume includes All-Big Ten honorable mention selections (including this season), three straight selections to the Academic All-Big Ten Team, and a gold medal with Team USA at the 2021 World Junior Championship.
Games will be streamed live on the Sabres' YouTube channel. Tickets are available **here**.
The 2023 Prospects Challenge will mark the eighth edition of the tournament, which began in 2015 with Buffalo, Boston and New Jersey.
Here is the full game schedule for the 2023 Prospects Challenge:
Friday, September 15
- Ottawa vs. New Jersey, 12 p.m.
- Pittsburgh vs. Boston, 3:30 p.m.
- Buffalo vs. Montreal, 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 16
- Ottawa vs. Pittsburgh, 12 p.m.
- Boston vs. Montreal, 3:30 p.m.
- Buffalo vs. New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Monday, September 18
- New Jersey vs. Boston, 10 a.m.
- Montreal vs. Ottawa, 1:30 p.m.
- Buffalo vs. Pittsburgh, 5 p.m.
Sabres Fan Fest presented by Coca-Cola will also be held on September 16.
Current Sabres players and alumni will be in attendance for photo opportunities and autograph sessions. Fans will be able to take in unique experiences, special programming and live music throughout the day.