Oct 4, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; A general view of the pre-game light show for the game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Ottawa Senators at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
FROM THE QUEBEC MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
Five players representing the Sabres at Traverse City spent last season in the QMJHL, including three forwards, one defenseman and a goaltender..
Start off with netminder Francois Brassard, who put up a record of 28-12-9 and a GAA of 2.95 with the Quebec Remparts. The 20-year-old Gatineau native is a camp invitee.
Then there’s William Carrier, acquired by the Sabres via trade. The 19-year-old LaSalle native split last season between Cape Breton and Drummondville. The left winger had 41 points in 39 games with the Screaming Eagles and 24 points in 27 games with the Voyageurs.
One 2014 draft pick of the Sabres who will be attending Traverse City is right winger Vaclav Karabacek. He’s coming out of a season with Gatineau, where he put up 21 goals and 26 assists in 65 games. The Brandys Nad Labem, Czech Republic native was picked up with the 49th overall selection in 2014.
Finally, two invitees from the QMJHL: left winger Michael Joly and defenseman Ryan MacKinnon, both of whom spent last season with the Rimouski Oceanic.
Joly, 19, is a left winger who had 44 goals and 30 assists for 74 points in 64 games. MacKinnon, who just turned 20 on Sept. 4, had 22 points and 28 penalty minutes in 66 games with the Oceanic.