BUFFALO, N.Y. – Record-setting goaltender Jason Kasdorf, who just completed his senior season with the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men’s hockey team, has signed a National Hockey League contract with the Buffalo Sabres. Kasdorf, who was originally drafted by the Winnipeg Jets and then had his contract rights traded to Buffalo, had a year of eligibility remaining due to a medical hardship. He signed an entry-level contract with the NHL club.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that RPI has given me over these past four years,” Kasdorf said. “Without Coach Appert, the coaching staff and my teammates, I wouldn’t be the goalie or the person I am today. I am extremely fortunate to have been surrounded with amazing people at RPI and the community of Troy. There is no other place I would have rather spent my last four years and I want to thank our fans and everyone who supports RPI Hockey, because without them the program wouldn’t be what it is today.
“I am very excited to take this next step with Buffalo. It is a great organization and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”
“We are thrilled to see Jason earn his opportunity at the NHL with the Sabres,” said Rensselaer head coach Seth Appert. “He has been a great daily example in our program of what work ethic, competitiveness and love of being an RPI Engineer looks like. Our program is grateful for what Jason gave and the manner in which he gave it and we wish him the very best with Buffalo.”
Kasdorf, who is on track to complete his degree in business and management in May, departs Rensselaer with the lowest single season (1.62 in 2012-13) and career (2.39) goals against average in school history. He is second (.935 in 2012-13) and third (.931 in 2015-16) in single season save percentage, as well as second in career save percentage (.920). He is in the top five in 10 other categories, including fourth in career shutouts (7) and fifth in season saves (916 in 2015-16).
“I am delighted that Jason has decided to take his skills and talents to the NHL,” said RPI Director of Athletics Dr. Lee McElroy. “He has been a model student-athlete during his tenure at RPI, who excelled in academics, athletics, and leadership. I wish Jason and his family the best as they take the next steps in their journey.”
This season, which concluded on Saturday in the ECAC Hockey Quarterfinals, Kasdorf played 30 games, going 12-12-5 with a 2.30 goals against average and the .931 save percentage, which is ninth in the nation. His 916 saves came on 984 shots in 1777:19 minutes with two shutouts. Eighteen games were league games, in which he was 6-6-5 with a 1.99 GAA and .939 save percentage. Both of his shutouts were in conference contests, including a 43-save performance in a 0-0 tie against No. 8 Harvard University on December 5 and a 44-save effort in a 1-0 win over No. 8 Cornell University on January 15. He registered a career-high 49 saves in a 2-1 win over the No. 9 Crimson on February 12.
As a junior, Kasdorf started 33 games, going 11-19-2 with a 2.97 goals against average and a .902 save percentage a season after missing all but two games the previous year due to injury.
In his freshman season, the Winnipeg, Man., native had a 14-5-2 overall record, a 1.62 goals against average and a .935 save percentage. He played each of the last 16 games after returning from an injury, and ranked among the leaders in the nation in goals against average, save percentage, winning percentage (.714) and shutouts. In 17 league contests, he was 12-2-2 with a 1.39 average, a .945 percentage and three shutouts. Among the honors he collected were Hockey Commissioners Association national Rookie of the Month, ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year, All-League Second Team and ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team.
Kasdorf was drafted by Winnipeg in the sixth round, 157th overall, in 2011. His rights were traded to the Sabres in February 2015.
