Buffalo Sabres: 3 players in prove-it mode at Prospects Challenge

The Buffalo Sabres have a few players on their Prospects Challenge roster you may never heard of who are looking to prove their worth. 

Every season, the Buffalo Sabres and the other franchises competing in their respective prospects tournaments league-wide love to either invite players in, or they have a late-round draft pick or two you want to keep an eye on. This season, several names jumped out, like Chris Jandric, who signed with the Rochester Americans a few months back.

Others, like Graham Slaggert and Damien Giroux, have professional hockey experience at the AHL and in Giroux’s case, limited NHL experience. These are under-the-radar names looking to stick around the organization in some capacity – at least in the AHL.

But other names in prove-it mode are rather enticing. Starting with a forward who may be familiar to you.

3 players in prove-it mode at Buffalo Sabres Prospects Challenge

1 – Dominick Mersch, F

Yep, there is another Mersch looking to pave his way into the Buffalo Sabres organization, as he is the younger brother of Michael Mersch. Dominick Mersch spent five seasons at the University of Wisconsin, where he saw 164 games of experience.

The now 24-year-old center snagged 37 points with the Badgers, and he moved on to play in a pair of games for the AHL’s Chicago Wolves last season. He will start the season with the Buffalo Sabres newest affiliate, the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen.

2 – Norwin Panocha, D

The Buffalo Sabres seventh round pick this season, Norwin Panocha is looking to make the smooth transition from the European game to the North American style of play. This will be his first taste of in-game action, so he’s looking to start things off with a bang.

The 18-year-old defenseman boasts decent size for his age, at 6’1, 185 lbs. He also showed some scoring prowess both during his time in Germany, and during international play. Panocha accumulated 22 regular points last season for Eisbären Juniors Berlin U20 in 34 contests, before following it up with a trio of points in six games at the World Juniors.

3 – Josh Fleming, G

Most eyes will be on Scott Ratzlaff this weekend, but Josh Fleming was invited for a chance to at least give the organization a reason to keep tabs on him. Fleming spent time in the QMJHL last season, compiling a 12-21-3 record for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, a 0.903 save percentage, and a GAA of 3.60.

Fleming also played for the MJAHL’s Grand Falls Rapids, where he amassed a 6-2-0 record, posted a shutout, finished with a 0.920 save percentage, and a 2.61 GAA. Fleming is also just 18, so he has more than enough time to develop his game, which could keep him on the Buffalo Sabres radar if he enjoys a strong showing.

Source: Sabres announce 2023 Prospects Challenge roster by Jourdon LaBarber, NHL.com/Sabres

(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects)