Buffalo Sabres development coach Tim Kennedy said on March 26 that six Sabres prospects will participate in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, including two players from his alma mater, Michigan State. Kennedy, who played a key role in Michigan State’s last national championship win in 2007, will be closely watching these young athletes as they compete on college hockey’s biggest stage.
The involvement of these prospects is significant for the Sabres organization as it provides an opportunity to evaluate their performance under high-pressure conditions. According to Kennedy, “It’s one of the main times of the year where you can evaluate a kid because it’s such a high-stakes environment for college because unlike pro hockey, it’s one game, winner takes all. The smallest mistake can end your season and it’s seeing how the players handle that environment, whether they’re in their first year or third or fourth year.”
The six prospects include Michigan State defensemen Maxim Strbak and Patrick Geary; UConn forward Jake Richard; Wisconsin freshmen Luke Osburn and Vasily Zelenov; and Minnesota Duluth defenseman Adam Kleber. Kennedy and fellow development coach Zach Redmond plan to attend regional games in Worcester, Massachusetts and Albany to observe all six players.
Kennedy praised Strbak for his growth over three seasons at Michigan State: “Max’s maturation process the last few years is very impressive… He’s gotten better and better each year… He’s a hard-to-play-against, shutdown defender.” Geary was also commended by Kennedy: “He embodies how the team wants to play defensively. Tough, aggressive, in your face and he’s had a really good year too.” Regarding Richard at UConn, Kennedy said: “He’s relied on heavily offensively and he’s really the leader of that team as an offensive catalyst… his overall game… has improved whether it’s on the forecheck, backcheck or defensive-zone play.”
Osburn has had an impactful freshman season with Wisconsin despite missing time due to illness: “It’s hard coming in as a freshman in the Big Ten with all that talent but he’s had a really impressive freshman year,” Kennedy said. Zelenov overcame injury setbacks this season; according to Kennedy: “He’s always been that defensively responsible forward but always wanted him to shoot a little bit more… He is a piece that they missed in their lineup.” For Minnesota Duluth’s Kleber—named NCHC Defensive Defenseman of the Year—Kennedy highlighted his defensive skills: “A big part of their success this weekend versus Penn State if they can get past them is going to be Adam and his defensive partner shutting that top line down.”
As these Sabres prospects take part in high-stakes tournament action across different regions this week, observers within both collegiate hockey circles and NHL organizations will be monitoring their performances closely.
