Sabres sign forward Jake Richard to two-year entry-level contract

Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Sabres announced on Thursday the signing of forward Jake Richard to a two-year entry-level contract.

Richard was the Sabres' sixth-round pick (170th overall) back in the 2022 NHL Draft after playing his draft year in the United States Hockey League with the Muskegon Lumberjacks, where he produced 48 points (18+30) in 56 games.

After another season in the USHL split between the Lumberjacks and the Tri-City Storm, combining to produce 62 points (31+31) in 57 games played, Richard made the jump to the college ranks, where he played three seasons at the University of Connecticut.

While with the Huskies, the 22-year-old managed to become a productive forward with 32 goals and 56 assists for 88 points in 106 collegiate games. His best season came in his Sophomore year at UConn, where Richard scored 15 goals and added 28 assists for 43 points in 34 games.

This past year in Storrs, Richard's production took a bit of a dip with just 10 goals and 27 points in 38 games played, but still managed to finish second on the team in assists and third in goals and points.

Over his last two seasons at UConn, the 6-foot-1, 194-pound forward was part of a group that managed to clinch berths in the NCAA men's ice hockey tournament for the first time in program history. During the 2024-25 season, the Huskies managed to win a game in the tournament before losing in the Regional Final.

Richard is the seventh member of the Sabres' 2022 draft class to sign his entry-level contract. He's also the third collegiate prospect to sign his entry-level contract following this past season, joining defensemen Gavin McCarthy and Maxim Strbak.