SABERS ADD SEVEN ADDITIONAL PLAYERS ON 2024 NHL DRAFT DAY

Adam Kleber – D – Lincoln (USHL) | 42nd overall (from New Jersey via San Jose)

The Sabers selected defenseman Adam Kleber with the 42nd overall pick.

The 6-foot-6, 215-pound right-handed defenseman has 26 points (5+21) in 56 games for the USHL’s Lincoln Stars in 2023-24. He led all Lincoln defensemen in goals (5), game-winning goals (3), power play goals (2) and points (26).

Kleber won bronze with Team USA at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup last August, recording one assist in five matches.

The Chaska, Minnesota native has committed to play at the collegiate level at the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2024-25.

Brodie Ziemer – AD – USNTDP | 71st overall

Buffalo acquired the 71st overall pick from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for picks No. 76 and 161.

The Sabers used the third-round pick to select forward Brodie Ziemer, who had 70 points (27+43) in 61 games with the U.S. National Team Development Program, finishing fourth on the team for the points.

A native of Hutchinson, Minnesota, Ziemer captained Team USA at the U-18 World Championship, leading the team to a silver medal after recording three goals and nine assists in seven games.

At 5-foot-11 and 196 pounds, Ziemer has committed to play at the University of Minnesota in 2024-25.

Luke Osburn – D – Youngstown (USHL) | 108th overall

With their first pick in the fourth round, the Sabers selected left-handed defenseman Luke Osburn of the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms.

The 6-foot-1, 172-pound defenseman ranked third among USHL rookie defensemen with 23 points (8+15) in 60 games.

Osburn is committed to the University of Wisconsin.

Simon-Pier Brunet – D – Drummondville (LHJMQ) | 123rd overall

Buffalo acquired the 123rd overall pick and the 219th overall pick from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for the 109th overall pick.

With the 123rd pick, the Sabres selected defenseman Simon-Pier Brunet, who played 52 games with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League.

The 6-foot-2, 196-pounder from Gatineau, Que., recorded 14 points (4+10) in those games and added two goals and four assists in 19 playoff games as the Voltigeurs won the QMJHL title to qualify for the Memorial Cup.

Brunet played alongside current Sabers prospect Vsevolod Komarov in Drummondville.

Patrick Geary – D – Michigan State University | 172nd overall

The Sabres selected Patrick Geary with the 172nd overall pick.

Geary played 32 games for Michigan State during his rookie campaign, totaling five goals and eight assists in those contests while playing with current Sabres prospect Max Strbak.

Originally from Buffalo, the left-handed defenseman played junior AAA hockey for the Buffalo Jr. Sabers for four seasons before playing for the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Vasily Zelenov – AG – RB Hockey Juniors | 204th overall

Buffalo selected Vasily Zelenov with its first pick of the seventh round.

Zelenov recorded 14 goals and 37 points in 40 games for Red Bull in the Alpine Hockey League, ranking second on the team in assists and goals and third in points.

He led the Austrian junior league in both goals and points in the 2023 playoffs and won a championship with RB Hockey Juniors.

Ryerson Leenders – G – Mississauga (OHL) | 219th overall

With their final draft pick, the Sabres selected goaltender Ryerson Leenders of Mississauga of the Ontario Hockey League.

Leenders played in 46 games with the Steelheads and posted a 24-17-4 overall record along with a league-best .909 save percentage. He recorded a .933 save percentage in two playoff games for Mississauga in 2024.

The North American goaltender ranked 10th by NHL Central Scouting won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the 2024 IIHF Under-18 World Championship.