Hudson Fasching
Position: RW
Age: 19
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 207 lbs.
2013-14 team: Minnesota (NCAA)
Acquired: Traded from the Los Angeles Kings along with Nicolas Deslauriers for Brayden McNabb and two second-round picks
Last year’s ranking: N/A
The Sabres had to pay a hefty price to land Hudson Fasching, but that’s what was needed to be able to pry him away from the Kings. Fasching had an excellent season with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, who lost to Union in the NCAA championship.He was tied for the team lead in goals and was named the Gophers Rookie of the Year.
With both Fasching and JT Compher the Big Ten will be a must watch for Sabres fans next season.
This past season Fasching produced right out of the gate, being named the Big Ten third star of the week in November, when he led all Big Ten freshmen in goals and points. His play early on rocketed up his stock in the Los Angeles organization.
The Royal Half had some nice things to say about Fasching in a Q&A with Buffalo Wins after the trade. “Fasching is the one to keep your eye on,” said TRH. “He’s got explosive speed and a working class vibe that would go over very well in a Buffalo in a few years.”
Fasching told reporters this summer when going through the draft process that he wasn’t sure what role he would play. He even believes his answer had an affect on him dropping to the Kings in the fourth round. However, he’s grown into his frame since then and plays how you’d expect a power forward to. He has an excellent ability to simply out muscle a guy due to his size. He’s the type of player that can stick out his butt and stop opponents from getting near the puck along the boards.
Fasching was a member of last year’s silver medal United States squad at the World Juniors and is expected to be a member of this year’s team as well. In last year’s tournament he scored two goals and two assists in five games.
He’ll be back for his sophomore season with Minnesota this year, a team ready to challenge for the title yet again. The Gophers didn’t lose any of their top scorers to graduation and should once again be a force in the Big Ten. Let’s hope Fasching is too.
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