The Sabres spotted a hole in their prospect pool, and they have certainly done everything they can do to address it. Buffalo selected defenseman Devante Stephens from the Kelowna Rockets in the fifth round, the third blue liner taken by the team today.
Stephens, 6’1″ and 171 lbs. scored four goals and seven assists in 64 games in his first season in Kelowna. He was chosen as the Rockets Rookie of the Year as well as Most Improved Players, and won the WHL Championship. He was ranked #116 among North American prospects by Central Scouting Services.
Remarkable turnaround for Stephens after suffering broken leg in final midget season before entering the WHL. Got jammed between two players
— Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) June 27, 2015
#Sabres 5th rounder Devante Stephens was passed over by every team in the WHL’s bantam draft in 2012. He’s an on-the-rise prospect.
— Kevin Oklobzija (@kevinoDandC) June 27, 2015
Now a @BuffaloSabres, Devante had a pretty good year last year pic.twitter.com/qJMiae1ab4
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) June 27, 2015