Thanks to the Tyler Myers injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season, Buffalo Sabres fans will have the pleasure of watching Chad Ruhwedel make his NHL debut today against the Flyers?
Who is Chad Ruhwedel, you may be asking? Excellent question.
Ruhwedel, pronounced roo-wee-duhl, is a college defenseman from U-Mass Lowell, recently of the Frozen Four. From Pro Hockey Talk,
This past season with Lowell, Ruhwedel had seven goals and 16 assists to help lead the Riverhawks to the Frozen Four. Of those 23 points, 12 came on the power play including three goals. At 5’11″ 180 pounds, he’s an average-sized defender, but with the shortage the Sabres have on the blue line after the trade deadline and with Myers out, Ruhwedel will come in handy.
The Sabres did not call up anyone from the Amerks most likely to keep that group together as they get ready for the AHL playoffs. And with the Sabres season in the toilet, could Ruhwedel really be any worse than Myers or Regehr? Oh, and he’ll wear #5, so I guess he’s already “earned” his NHL number.
And on that happy note, let’s go, Buffalo!