The best at 11 a.m.

As the Buffalo Sabers look toward the draft and the 11th overall pick, they should take a look at one of the best players to feature in the organization. In 1979, they drafted defenseman Mike Ramsey from the University of Minnesota with the 11th overall pick. Ramsey went on to have a storied career in the NHL and the Olympics.

Before joining Buffalo, Ramsey was part of the 1980 Olympic hockey team that saw them defeat the Russians en route to a gold medal. He then had two assists during the Olympics. Mike was coached during games by Herb Brooks, who was his college coach when he attended Minnesota.

Starting in 1980, he became a fixture for the Sabres, playing in four All-Star Games and was team captain from 1990 to 1992. In his first full season in 1980/1981, the Sabers won the regular season championship of Adams Division.

Ramsey’s highest point total during the season as a member of Buffalo was the 1986/1987 season. He scored 39 points during the season, with 31 assists. Additionally, he was an All-star in the 1986 season.

The defenseman ended his career with the Sabers after the 1992 season. He then played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings. During his career, Ramsey appeared in the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals with the Red Wings and retired after the 1997 season.

He returned to the Sabers as an assistant coach under Lindy Ruff in 1997. Mike was an assistant on a team that saw the organization return to the Stanley Cup Final in 1999. Ramsey was elected to the Hall of United States hockey fame in 2001 and is remembered as having had one of the most successful post-Olympic careers.

The NHL draft takes place at the end of June in Las Vegas. As the Sabers consider what to do with the 11th overall pick, they should look back at their history and a player like Mike Ramsey to emulate.