Ryan Rucinski, recently drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the seventh round of the 2025 NHL Draft, has been making an impact as captain of the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL. Rucinski learned of his selection while spending time with family at their Ohio lake house. He described the moment as a realization of his dream and expressed gratitude to Buffalo for choosing him.
“You never really know,” Rucinski said. “I know a lot of good players get picked and a lot get missed. I didn’t really know what to expect. I didn’t have my hopes too high, and it’s hard to explain, but it was super cool, and I’m just super thankful that Buffalo picked me there.”
Rucinski credited his father, Jeff Rucinski—a former AHL and ECHL player—for supporting his hockey journey, including building a backyard rink each year for Ryan and his siblings.
This season, Rucinski has continued to stand out for Youngstown. In a recent game against the U.S. NTDP, he scored twice on the power play and recorded three points, bringing his total to 12 points (7 goals, 5 assists) through nine games.
Last December, Rucinski represented Team USA for the first time at the World Junior A Challenge and won gold alongside fellow Sabres prospect Luke Osburn. Shortly after being drafted in June, he attended Sabres Development Camp and later participated in Buffalo’s Prospects Challenge in September. Rochester Americans coach Mike Leone described him as “a ball of energy.” During that tournament, Rucinski played on a line with other 2025 draftees.
“No matter what round, it’s just really special to be drafted in the NHL.” Rucinski said. “I have a lot of pride in that, but I still just try to play my game how I would, no matter what the outcome was with the draft or how that turned out. I just try to be the same player every day.”
At 5-foot-11 and 181 pounds—having added 15 pounds over the summer—Rucinski demonstrated his offensive skills and physical style during three Prospects Challenge games.
“I just like to play a hard game,” he said. “I like to just finish checks and just kind of wear my opponents down. Yes, it’s tough because I’m a little smaller, but I think if you just keep giving body punches, guys will wear down and you can make plays off of them.”
Youngstown head coach Ryan Ward highlighted how valuable these experiences are for young players like Rucinski. Ward noted that after observing older prospects’ preparation routines last season, Rucinski has become more focused on nutrition and injury prevention.
Ward recalled that Rucinski struggled for ice time during his first season with Youngstown but responded by working harder instead of getting discouraged.
“A lot of times, when you’re coaching these kids, they (had been) the best player on their team, for the most part,” Ward said. “That’s always a hard, slap-in-the-face moment when you’re like, ‘Whoa, I’m in and out of the lineup.’ And for him, instead of pouting or sulking, he just worked hard, and when he eventually became a regular in our lineup, he just kept taking steps.”
Rucinski finished last season with 42 points (19 goals and 23 assists), ranking fifth on his team—a performance that improved his draft position ahead of June’s NHL Draft.
Now committed to The Ohio State University for college hockey next year, Rucinski has further developed this season by winning puck battles more often and improving as an explosive skater. He currently ranks among league leaders in both goals (8) and points (14), including five power-play goals.
“He was always a hard worker,” Ward said. “… In this league there’s no space; you have to work for relatively every inch of ice—and I think Ryan’s second- and third-efforts have allowed him to excel offensively.”
Ward named Rucinski captain before this season began: “Ryan certainly has been a pleasure to coach and someone that when he moves on from here he’s going to have left this place better than he found it,” Ward said.
In other prospect news:
Konsta Helenius is playing for Rochester Americans (AHL). After starting slowly this season with one point in five games—the Finnish forward selected 14th overall by Buffalo in 2024—he tallied five points over two games last weekend including two goals against Laval Rocket on October 24th followed by an overtime winner versus Cleveland Monsters [https://t.co/vDZLEulhjppic.twitter.com/9fJ52zKNSY]. Helenius now has six points through eight games; Rochester is tied atop its division at 6-2.
Melvin Novotny is adjusting well during his first North American campaign with Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL). The Czech winger—drafted by Buffalo in 2025’s seventh round—has seven goals plus eight assists across thirteen games so far; Muskegon leads its conference at 11-2.
Goaltender Ryerson Leenders was named OHL Goaltender of the Week after posting two wins with Brantford Bulldogs while stopping 56 out of 58 shots faced [https://t.co/ygh8ZKfIZe]. The Sabres’ seventh-round pick from last year is unbeaten through six starts this season with strong numbers among league goalies.
