Los Angeles, Calif. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - With their final pick of the 2025 NHL Draft at 219th overall, the Buffalo Sabres wrapped up their draft class with the selection of forward Ryan Rucinski from the Youngstown Phantoms in the United States Hockey League.
Over the course of 49 games played with Youngstown this past season, Rucinski scored 19 goals and added 23 assists for 42 points, which ranked him fifth in overall team scoring.
After playing the last two seasons in Youngstown with 2024 fourth-round pick Luke Osburn, Rucinski is committed to play his college hockey at Ohio State University as a freshman this upcoming season.
Here is what Elite Prospects has to say about Rucinski:
"A detailed, versatile forward with an edge, Rucinski creates through puck protection, net-front skill, and winning battles. His preferred scoring tools: An instant inside leg wrister off the rush and quick hands in tight on the power play. And when neither of those is an option, he crashes the net and whacks away until he finds an opening."
The Sabres will next hold their annual development camp at Harborcenter, starting Monday and extending through Thursday.
Buffalo will also gear up for the start of NHL Free Agency beginning on Tuesday.