The Buffalo Sabres announced on Apr. 1 that defenseman Maxim Strbak has signed a three-year, entry-level contract beginning with the 2026-27 season.
Strbak, who is 20 years old, was selected by the Sabres in the second round as the 45th overall pick in the 2023 National Hockey League Draft. He played for Michigan State University, appearing in 102 games over three seasons.
During his collegiate career, Strbak helped lead Michigan State to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and two Big Ten Championships. He recorded a total of 46 points, including eight goals and thirty-eight assists, and finished with a plus-33 rating.
Sabres development coach Tim Kennedy said last month to Sabres.com: “He’s a hard-to-play-against, shutdown defender, can skate really well. He’s very physical and that’s what we love about him.”
This past season at Michigan State, Strbak had the second most points among defensemen on his team with eighteen points in thirty-seven games. He was tied for tenth place in the Big Ten Conference with a plus-20 rating and registered thirty-eight blocked shots.
Internationally, Strbak represented Slovakia at four International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championships. Over nineteen games he tallied sixteen points and during the 2024 tournament he tied for most assists by a defenseman with six.
