Sabres sign Quinnipiac captain after winning national title

Freshly off leading his team to an NCAA National Championship title, now-former Quinnipiac University Bobcat captain Zach Metsa has decided to sign a two-year contract with the Rochester Americans, the AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. For the remainder of this season, Metsa will join the Americans on a professional tryout agreement.

Metsa finished off his five-year career with Quinnipiac in impressive fashion, scoring nine goals and 28 assists in 40 regular-season games. During this year’s Frozen Four, Metsa helped his team to the National Championship, scoring one goal and three assists through the Frozen Four. In total, the young defenseman played in 177 regular-season games in the NCAA, scoring 31 goals and 90 assists.

Currently 35-25-6, the Americans have already clinched a spot in the Calder Cup playoffs. Being one of the most historic franchises in the AHL, Metsa will help Rochester in its attempt to win its seventh Calder Cup in franchise history.

If the season were to end today, the Americans would have a first-round bye into the division semifinals, where they would take on the AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Syracuse Crunch. With nine defensemen already on the roster in Rochester, it will be interesting to see how Metsa fits into the lineup down the stretch, especially during the playoffs.