Nashville, Tenn. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Sabres add to their goaltending pipeline with their fifth-round selection, 141st overall, in the 2023 NHL Draft by picking Scott Ratzlaff from the Seattle Thunderbirds in the Western Hockey League (WHL).
The 6-foot, 175-pound netminder has spent parts of the last three seasons playing in the WHL with the Thunderbirds, primarily serving as a backup goalie. In 59 games played in Seattle, the 18-year-old has posted a 43-10-1 record with a 2.29 goals-against average, a .912 save percentage and six shutouts.
During his 2022-23 season, Ratzlaff posted a 25-8-1 record with a 2.15 goals-against average, a .918 save percentage and five shutouts, which led the WHL. While he didn't get in any action during the WHL Playoffs, he ended up being part of a Thunderbirds squad that went on to win the WHL Championship over Sabres prospects Matthew Savoie and Zach Benson
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Ratzlaff also helped Team Canada win the gold at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, leading all goaltenders in save percentage and goals-against average.
After backing up Thomas Milic in Seattle this past year, it is expected that Ratzlaff will take over the net for the Thunderbirds this upcoming campaign
