SABRES PROSPECT BRYSON CAPTAINS PROVIDENCE TO FROZEN FOUR
By Warren Kozireski–
Buffalo Sabres 2017 fourth round draft pick Jacob Bryson and his Providence Friars made a run to the Frozen Four on what he hopes to be his future home ice in Buffalo before falling to Minnesota-Duluth in the national semi-finals 4-1.
The Friars received an at-large bid to the NCAA hockey tournament after their 21-win season and defeated Minnesota State and Cornell to win the East Regional to advance to the fifth Frozen Four in program history.
“It just shows how special Providence as a program is to make it the three years…to the tournament every year,” Bryson said in the post-game press conference. “This was our first experience in the Frozen Four, it was unbelievable. That shows you how good our program is.
“That’s a big reason why…I chose this place, because we wanted to win. I’m happy with our group this year. We had such a dynamic group of individuals. Even though we’re young, shows you how far we got under coach (and Cortland grad Gary) Leaman’s wing, he did a great job of coaching us and being hard on us every day in practice to get us to this point.”
The 5’9”, 179 lb. left shot and captain for Providence scored 27 points with 23 of those assists, including one assist in each of his last three postseason contests.
As for whether he is contemplating ending his collegiate career a year early and signing a pro contract, Bryson said, “I’m really not focused on that right now. I’m so excited how my team played tonight, how we’ve been over the season. We came so far, did such a great job. That’s really what I’m focused on right now.”
