Dynamic WHL blueliner leads the Top 24-and-under Sabres players and prospects Tier VI

24: Ethan Miedema, W/Kingston Frontenacs 

Ethan Miedema was an intriguing selection when the Sabres drafted him thanks to his NHL-ready size, even if he won’t be seeing NHL ice for a while. Like another player to be discussed later, Buffalo snagged him in the fourth round. And while he didn’t necessarily break out this season with the Kingston Frontenacs, Miedema still managed a serviceable 41 points and 18 goals in 68 regular season contests.

The feat was a career-high for the winger in a full season with one team - he split time in 2022-23 between Windsor and Kingston and put up respectable numbers that year as well. That said, Kingston wasn’t a great team this season, so that could be one reason for Miedema’s inability to increase his production despite managing an adequate 0.602 points per contest. 

It’s also worth pointing out that Windsor may have been a better overall fit for Miedema than Kingston, but the latter is the place he finds himself in. Consistency will be key for the 19-year-old heading into 2024-25. And if he overcomes struggling through a pedestrian performance or two for every good game he has, there is a good chance he will sign for the 2025-26 season. 

Miedema is one player to watch closely in 2024-25 if you’re a Sabres fan and simultaneously into junior hockey. The stakes are growing as he enters his fourth full season in the OHL, and there is a chance the AHL is waiting for him in 2025-26 if he gets it together across a 68-game slate.