By Warren Kozireski —
Ranked among the top four prospects for the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by many, center Casey Mittelstadt was the Buffalo Sabres first round selection—eighth overall.
“Obviously we’re ecstatic to get Casey,” new Sabres General manager Jason Botterill said. “The success he’s had at such a young age and I love players who have flexibility.
“Minnesota is a great program with strength training and a Big Ten school with a high tempo style to utilize his speed there and I think it’s a great spot. We’ll see how his development goes, but I don’t want to say it’s going to be one year or two years or three years—we’ll see how his development goes.”
The 6’1”, 201 lb. left shot brings speed, hockey sense and skill and will turn 19 until late November.
After his high school team lost in the finals the year before, he decided to split this past season with Green Bay of the USHL and that Eden Prairie high school squad. With Green Bay he netted 13 goals with 17 assists over 34 contests.
“It’s a big relief to get picked and me and my family are super-excited and obviously going to a great place like Buffalo makes it even better, Mittelstadt said moments after being selected.
“I think I’m a two-way center with some offensive upside. I like to think I can make plays with the puck, use my vision and creativity and try to make the guys around me better.”
(NHL.com photo)
