The Sabres second overall pick in last year’s draft will be returning to the professional ranks. Sam Reinhart has been assigned to the Rochester Americans, according to his former WHL team the Kootenay Ice. Kootenay was eliminated in the WHL Eastern Conference Quarter Final by the Calgary Hitmen, ending his junior career.
Reinhart played 47 games with the Ice this season, scoring 19 goals and 46 assists. He made waves on the first line of the gold medal winning Canadian team at this year’s World Junior Championships, scoring five goals and six assists in 11 games. He played nine games with the Sabres at the start of the year, notching one assist.
The Americans play tonight at the Lake Erie Monsters (who play in Cleveland). However, Reinhart is at the First Niagara Center this morning, so it’s unlikely he makes his Amerks debut tonight. He could get his first chance tomorrow when Rochester hosts the Toronto Marlies.
Rochester is the second worst team in the Western Conference, so the addition won’t change their trajectory of their season. The Americans do have six games left, including tonight. It’ll be a better opportunity for Tim Murray to see how Reinhart has progressed, especially whether or not he has added some weight.
Reinhart is the third Sabres prospect to join the team following the conclusion of their junior season. Eric Cornel and Brycen Martin both joined the team this weekend.