BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Sabres ended a lengthy wait by signing Ryan Johnston to a two-year, entry level contract on Saturday, more than a month after the defenseman completed his senior college season at Minnesota.
Johnston will report immediately to the Sabres' American Hockey League affiliate in Rochester, whose best-of-seven Eastern Conference final playoff series against Hershey is tied at 1.
From Southern California, Johnston is listed at 6-feet and 170 pounds and was selected 31st in 2019 draft.
His puck-moving skills fit Buffalo's style of play, Johnston finished his college career with nine goals and 59 points in 143 career games, including four goals and 18 points in 40 games this year. He reached the NCAA’s Frozen Four in each of his final two seasons, with the Gophers losing in the semifinals last year, followed by a 3-2 overtime loss to Quinnipiac in the championship game last month.
He also had a goal and three assists in seven games representing the U.S. team that won gold at the 2021 world junior championships.
Johnston, who turns 22 in July, had the option to wait until August when he would've become an unrestricted free agent and eligible to sign with any team. Because Johnston was first-round pick, the Sabres would've been compensated with a 2024 second-round selection had he signed elsewhere.
Both sides are banking on the player’s age and college experience to enable Johnston to make the jump to the NHL within the next two seasons. The Sabres will still control Johnston’s rights as a restricted free agent once his entry-level contract expires.
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John Wawrow, The Associated Press