Buffalo Sabres First Rounder To Join SHL Champions

The Buffalo Sabres have provided a top prospect a big developmental move today, loaning their 16th overall first-round selection from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Noah Ostlund, to the champion Växjö club of the Swedish Hockey League. 

We have loaned forward Noah Östlund to Växjö (SHL).

Details: https://t.co/EoO8IGWMic pic.twitter.com/EipnDUrDv1

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) August 30, 2023

The 19-year-old forward was actually on hand with the Rochester Americans for their AHL playoff run this past spring, though he was an observer only as an injury kept him out of uniform. 

Ostlund said his brief AHL experience was a good one. "I learned a lot," Ostlund said in July during Sabres development camp. "It was a couple of good weeks there. I met all of the staff and the players, so I had a great time and learned how it is to play in the American League." 

He spent last season in the second-tier professional league in Sweden, HockeyAllsvenskan, where he recorded 8 goals and 18 assists for 26 points in 37 games with Djurgardens.

The Växjö Lakers are the defending SHL champions, and the young forward is looking at the upcoming season as a great building block to get to Buffalo. 

"I think in Vaxjo I'll get a very good experience to play in the SHL," he said. "I think that will make my path to the NHL quicker."

Photo: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports