TRAINING CAMP ROSTER: ON LOAN FROM BUFFALO
The following players have been loaned to Rochester, per the Buffalo Sabres, as of Sunday, October 9.
BRANDON BIRO
Left Wing | 5'11" | 170lbs | Sherwood Park, Alberta
Brandon Biro is entering his third professional season after signing a two-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres. Biro tallied 41 points (12+29) in 48 games last season and added three points (1+2) in 10 playoff games.
Biro made his NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres on Feb. 23, 2022. He was named the Most Improved Player and Unsung Hero of the Amerks for the 2021-22 season.
Biro tallied two goals in the Sabres' preseason game against the Flyers.
FILIP CEDERQVIST
Left Wing | 6'3" | 196lbs | Skara, Sweden
Filip Cederqvist was drafted 143rd overall by Buffalo in 2019, and signed a two-year entry-level deal with the Sabres in June. Cederqvist has spent his career playing in Europe, and to coaching staff acknolwedges that there will be a slight adjustment for him to the North American game.
But they're pleased with what they saw at the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo. Coach Weber noted: "What I've seen out of him the last couple days is he's a guy that's extremely willing to get there. He's got the frame to handle the beating, the pressure. And he's got nice hands in tight there to finish."
Coach Appert is excited to get to work with him in Rochester.
KYLE CLAGUE
Defense | 6'0" | 190lbs | Regina, Saskatchewan
Kyle Clague joins the Rochester roster after being loaned by Buffalo — and clearing waivers — on Sunday, October 9. Clague was originally the 51st-overall pick by the LA Kings in the 2016 NHL Draft, and signed a one-year deal with the Sabres in July.
Clague suited up in 25 games for the Montreal Canadiens last season, recording 5 points (2+3). He has appeared in 58 total NHL games and129 AHL games in four seasons. All of his AHL games so far have been spent with the Ontario Reign, where he tallied 70 points (16 goals, 54 assists).
JEREMY DAVIES
Defense | 5'11" | 180lbs | Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec
Jeremy Davies was added to the Rochester squad after being loaned from Buffalo and clearing waivers on Sunday, October 9. Davies was originally the 192nd-overall pick by the New Jersey Devils in the 2016 NHL Draft before signing a one-year contract with the Sabres in July.
Davies appeared in six games for the Nashville Predators last season, tallying two assists. He recorded 31 points (6 goals, 25 assists) with the Milwaukee Admirals. This will be Davies' fourth season with 125 total AHL games under his belt.
ALEKSANDR KISAKOV
Left Wing | 5'10" | 150lbs | Solikamsk, Russia
Aleksandr Kisakov was the 53rd overall piock by Buffalo in the 2021 NHL Draft. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Sabres in May 2022, after posting 56 points (26+30) in 51 games with Dynamo Moscow of the MHL, Russia's junior hockey league.
While Kisakov was unable to participate in Development Camp, Coach Appert is familiar with his play: "I didn't like coaching against him. I like coaching him," Appert said. "He's a little bit of a magician with the puck." He made a great impression at the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, and will make the adjustment to the North American game in Rochester to start the season.
TYSON KOZAK
Center | 5'11" | 173lbs | Souris, Manitoba
Tyson Kozak was selected 193rd overall — the 1st pick of the 7th round — by the Sabres in the 2021 NHL Draft, but Coach Michael Peca had high praise during Development Camp in July: "Watching him out there, you'd think he went in the top three rounds... The kid's impressive."
And that held true during Prospects Challenge: he scored four goals in the Sabres' three games in Buffalo. "He just has a presence about him," Coach Appert said after the prospects' game against Montreal. "He has a compete about him... It's not just flash. I think he's a winning hockey player and I thought he showed that."
Kozak spent last season with the Portland Winterhawks, recording 69 points in 66 games. He signed his three-year entry-level contract with the Sabres in August.
JIRI KULICH
Center | 5'11" | 172lbs | Kadan, CZE
Jiri Kulich was drafted 28th overall by the Buffalo Sabres, finishing out their trio of first-rounders from the 2022 NHL Draft. The trio signed their three-year entry-level deals while in Buffalo for Development Camp in July, after making a great first impression: "Kulich, I think he's just edged (forward JJ) Peterka out in the amount of oohs and ahs he's created in the stands with his scoring ability," Coach Michael Peca said. "To see these kids come in at 18, it's impressive."
Kulich continued to impress at the Prospects Challenge, while centering a line between Lukas Rousek and Isak Rosen. The line tallied six points in the Sabres' win over New Jersey. Coach Appert noted that Kulich has a "swagger about him" during the weekend: "“He’s an elite player. Carries himself like that. Looks like it on the ice. Accepts coaching."
Kulich will begin his North American professional career in Rochester, and Amerks fans should get excited to watch his electric scoring ability.
OSKARI LAAKSONEN
Defense | 6'2" | 185lbs | Tampere, Finland
Oskari Laaksonen enters his third professional season after being drafted 89th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2017 NHL Draft. Last season in Rochester, Laaksonen posted his best offensive effort: tallying career-highs in goals (5), assists (29), and points (34). Laaksonen recorded four power-play goals and one game-winner last season.
At the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, Laaksonen took on a new role: one as a leader. "I'm just trying to help everbody," Laaksonen said during the weekend. And the Rochester coaching staff echoed that sentiment: praising Laaksonen as the loudest on the ice.
Laaksonen views this season in Rochester as a great opportunity for him, and has spent the offseason working on building strength.
UKKO-PEKKA LUUKKONEN
Goaltender | 6'6" | 217lbs | Espoo, Finland
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was loaned to the Rochester squad ahead of the NHL opening night roster deadline on Monday, October 10. Luukkonen suited up for nine games with the Sabres last season, earning two wins and recording a .917 save percentage. With the Amerks, he recorded a .900 save percentage in 35 games played last year.
This will be Luukkonen's fourth professional season with the organization. Luukkonen, originally the 54th-overall pick by Buffalo in the 2017 NHL Draft, signed a two-year contract with the Sabres in July.
SEAN MALONE
Center | 6'0" | 197lbs | Buffalo, NY
Sean Malone enters his fifth season with the Rochester Americans after recording career highs in points (37) and goals (20) last season. He also added 7 points in 10 games in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Over the summer, Malone signed a one-year contract with the Sabres in June and attended training camp in Buffalo before clearing waivers and joining the Rochester squad on Wednesday, October 5.
A Buffalo native, Malone was drafted 159th overall by the Sabres in the 2013 NHL Draft. Malone played 23 games for the Chicago Wolves in 2020-21 and has appeared in two NHL games so far in his career. Malone was an assistant captain last year for the Amerks.
BRETT MURRAY
Left Wing | 6'5" | 228lbs | Bolton, Ontario
Brett Murray enters his fourth professional season, splitting time between Buffalo and Rochester the last two seasons. Murray appeared in 19 games for the Sabres last year after making a statement at the Prospects Challenge. Murray recorded six points — including his first NHL goal on Nov. 29, 2021 with his entire family in attendance.
In Rochester last season, Murray had a career-year: he posted career-highs in points (32), goals (15) and assists (17) in 52 games. He added six points in 10 games — and was a big presence — in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Originally the 99th overall pick by the Sabres in the 2016 NHL Draft, Murray signed a one-year contract with the Sabres in July.
LAWRENCE PILUT
Defense | 5'11" | 194lbs | Tingsryd, Sweden
Lawrence Pilut was loaned to Rochester by the Buffalo Sabres ahead of the NHL opening night roster deadline on Monday, October 9. Pilut returns to the organization, signing a one-year contract with the Sabres, after spending his last two seasons in the KHL.
Originally undrafted, Pilut split both the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons between Rochester and Buffalo: he appeared in 46 NHL games for the Sabres and has suited up in 67 AHL games for the Amerks. In two seasons, Pilut tallied 49 points (10 goals, 39 assists) in red and blue.
CHASE PRISKIE
Defense | 6'0" | 185bs | Pembroke Pines, Florida
Chase Priskie was loaned to Rochester after clearing waivers on Sunday, October 9. Originally the 177th-overall pick by the Washington Capitals in the 2016 NHL Draft, Priskie signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres in July.
Priskie tallied 31 points (8 goals, 23 assists) in 54 games with the Charlotte Checkers last season. He was named AHL Player of the Week on December 19, 2021 after notching two goals and four assists. Priskie has suited up in 126 total AHL regular season games and 4 games.
ISAK ROSEN
Right Wing | 5'11" | 156lbs | Solna, Sweden
Isak Rosen was drafted 14th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2021 NHL Draft, spending his time with Leksands in Sweden for the last few seasons. Rosen made his debut in the Swedish Hockey League after leading all 17-year-olds in the junior league with 35 points (21+14) in 38 games. In August, Rosen scored the game-winner at World Juniors to help Sweden capture bronze.
It turned out that World Juniors really helped Rosen develop his game, as he prepares to transition to North America. "He looks faster," Coach Appert said during Prospects Challenge. "He looks harder on the puck. And his first step looks like it's got either more pop or more assertiveness."
Rosen made the biggest statement at Prospects Challenge with a blocked shot with 9 seconds left to secure the Sabres' win. "That's winning hockey," Appert said.
LUKAS ROUSEK
Right Wing | 5'11" | 191lbs | Ostrov Nad Ohri, CZE
Lukas Rousek is still officially entering his rookie season, after appearing in only 19 regular season games for the Amerks last season. Rousek, the Sabres' 160th overall selection in the 2019 NHL Draft, tallied 4 points (1+3) in that span, but added six points (2+4) during 10 playoff games.
Rousek stood out during the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo: he appeared on a line with Jiri Kulich and Isak Rosen, tallying two of the trio's six points in their first game. The trio certainly developed an instant chemistry that could be an exciting addition to Rochester.
Rousek showed that he can make an impact in the Sabres' preseason game against the Flyers: he and Biro had an impressive connection on Buffalo's first goal.
MALCOLM SUBBAN
Goaltender | 6'2" | 215lbs | Toronto, Ontario
Malcolm Subban enters his 8th professional season, having split his time between the NHL and AHL: he has appeared in 86 NHL games, and 132 AHL regular season games. Buffalo acquired Subban from Chicago in December 2021 and signed a one-year deal with the Sabres in July. Subban joins the Rochester squad after clearing waivers on Monday, Oct. 3rd.
Subban was active in the Buffalo community last season: he joined Kyle Okposo and General Manager Kevyn Adams at the Tops market on Jefferson Avenue, and he joined Jeff Skinners as he threw out a first pitch at a Bisons game. Subban also sang the national anthem before a Sabres game last season.
LINUS WEISSBACH
Left Wing | 5'9" | 177lbs | Gothenburg, SWE
Linus Weissbach enters his second professional season, after spending his rookie season in Rochester recording 37 points (16+21) in 67 games. Weissbach approached Prospects Challenge this season looking to prove that he's more than just a prospect now.
Weissbach impressed with his leadership at Prospects Challenge, and also showed he could make an impact in Buffalo during their preseason schedule.
Originally the 192nd overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2017 NHL Draft, Weissbach spent all four years at the University of Wisconsin. Weissbach tallied 114 points (34+80) and was named a second team All-American, while focusing on getting the full Badger experience.
TRAINING CAMP ROSTER: RELEASED FROM PTO
The following players were released from their professinal tryouts in Buffalo to join the Rochester training camp roster. Some return to Rochester while others are entering their first season on AHL contracts with the Amerks.
ZACH BERZOLLA
Defense | 6'2" | 196lbs | Howell, New Jersey
Zach Berzolla signed a one-year AHL contract with Rochester in July after spending 8 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL). He also registered three goals to go with a career-high 17 assists and 20 points in 51 games with the Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL) and tallied his first AHL goal during his debut on Dec. 29, 2021.
Prior to turning pro, the Howell, New Jersey native completed a four-year collegiate career at Colorado College (NCHC), totaling 23 points on four goals and 19 assists in 133 career games. While serving as co-captain with the Tigers in 2020-21, Berzolla led the National Collegiate Hockey Conference and finished fourth in the country with 68 blocked shots.
MITCH ELIOT
Defense | 6'0" | 190lbs | Orange County, California
Mitch Eliot returns to Rochester for his second season after signing a one-year AHL contract in July. Last season, Eliot appeared in 51 regular season games and four playoff games, registering 10 points (3+7) in the regular season contests.
Eliot spent his first two AHL seasons with the Utica Comets before eliminating them from the Calder Cup Playoffs in 2021-22. Before turning pro, Eliot spent two seasons with the Sarnia Sting (OHL), registering 58 points on 19 goals and 39 assists in 82 games, and two seasons with Michigan State University (Big10), tallying eight points (2+6) in 51 games.
MICHEAL HOUSER
Goaltender | 6'1" | 185lbs | Youngstown, Ohio
Michael Houser re-signed a one-year AHL contract with Rochester in July after splitting the majority of last season with the Amerks and Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL). He combined to go 11-13-1 in 29 appearances between the two clubs. He also appeared in seven playoff games with the two teams, showing a 2-2-1 record.
Houser was originally signed to an AHL contract with Rochester to begin the 2021-22 season, but he finished the campaign on an NHL contract with Buffalo for the second consecutive year. In two appearances with the Sabres, Houser posted a pair of wins to go with a .948 save percentage and 2.00 goals against average.
MASON JOBST
Center | 5'8" | 185lbs | Speedway, Indiana
Mason Jobst rejoins the Rochester roster, signing a one-year AHL contract in July, after splitting 37 games last season with the Amerks and the San Jose Barracuda (AHL). Entering into his fourth professional season, Jobst has totaled 15 goals and 23 assists.
Prior to turning pro, Jobst registered 164 points (69+95) in 150 games at the Ohio State University. He was a three-time All-Big Ten selection, and a two-time team captain. Jobst led the Buckeyes to its first Big Ten regular-season championship as a senior, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors. He was named a Second-Team All-American and the recipient of the 2019 Big Ten Medal of Honor, as well as a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.
MICHAEL MERSCH
Left Wing | 6'2" | 209lbs | Park Ridge, Illinois
Michael Mersch returns to Rochester for his third season with the Amerks. Mersch, who was already on a two-year contract, signed a one-year extension with the team on Friday. Named team captain ahead of the 2021-22 season, Mersch was an integral part of the Amerks' success, both on and off the ice. Amerks head coach Seth Appert has consistently praised Mersch's example:
"He's already been able to pass on so many lessons to the ‘Quinns’ and ‘Peterkas’ and ‘Krebs’ of the organization. Now there's going to be another whack of young guys this year that he’s going to help us mold again."
Mersch posted career-highs in goals (26), assists (28) and points (54) in 65 games last season. He also appeared in five Calder Cup Playoff contests during the Amerks’ run to the North Division Semifinals. This will be Mersch's ninth professional season.
KOHEN OLISCHEFSKI
Right Wing | 6'2" | 190lbs | Abbotsford, British Columbia
Kohen Olischefski signed a one-year AHL contract with Rochester in July, after appearing in three games with the Amerks on an amateur tryout. Before signing with the Amerks, Olischefski completed a five-year collegiate career between the University of Denver (NCHC) and Providence College (H-East). Olischefski registered 53 points (22+31) in 134 career games with the Denver from 2017-2021.
Olischefski participated in Development Camp and Prospects Challenge with the Sabres this summer, and applauded the culture within the organization: "Top to bottom, it doesn't really matter who you are within the team or what your role is, everybody's treated the same way."
JOSH PASSOLT
Left Wing | 6'0" | 194lbs | Hayward, Wisconsin
Josh Passolt signed a one-year AHL contract with Rochester in July, after appearing in six games with the Cincinnati Cyclones last season. He scored his first professional point with a second-period tally on April 15 against the Indy Fuel. Prior to turning pro, Passolt recorded 108 points (44+64) in 166 career games at Western Michigan (NCHC). He earned NCHC Academic All-Conference honors during all five seasons.
Passolt participated in the Prospects Challenge, and has enjoyed his experience with the organization so far: "What they're trying to do in training and the culture and move the organization in the right direction... They're well on their way and I just want to be able to be a part of that in any way I can.”
ETHAN PROW
Defense | 5'11" | 183lbs | Sauk Rapids, Minnesota
Ethan Prow signed a two-year AHL contract with Rochester in July, after spending last season serving as an assistant captain for the Amerks. In 70 games, Prow led all Rochester defensemen in goals (10), assists (39), and points (49). He finished the regular season ranking third amongst all AHL defensemen in both assists and points.
Prow, who added four assists in 10 Calder Cup Playoff games for the Amerks, also skated in four contests with the Buffalo Sabres last season. Prow earned his first-ever NHL recall on December 29, 2021, and scored his first NHL goal during the third period against the New Jersey Devils later that night.
This will be Prow's sixth professional season.
PETER TISCHKE
Defense | 6'1" | 216lbs | Hinsdale, Illinois
Peter Tischke re-signed with Rochester to a one-year AHL contract in July, after appearing in 33 games with the Amerks last season, notching two goals and two assists. Additionally, the 26-year-old blueliner skated in five contests with the Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL), recording three assists.
Tischke spent his first two professional seasons with the Colorado Eagles, appearing in 21 games. Prior to turning pro, Tischke registered 34 points (8+26) in 135 games at the University of Wisconsin. After being named to the Big-10 Honorable Mentioned All-Star teams in 2016-17 and 2017-18, he served as team captain in 2018-19 as well as earning the Big-10’s Sportsmanship Award.
BECK WARM
Goaltender | 6'0" |175lbs | Whistler, British Columbia
Beck Warm signed a one-year AHL contract with Rochester in July after spending the majority of last season with the Norfolk Admirals (ECHL). He posted a 7-10-1 record and one shutout in 18 games. Warm began his pro career in 2020-21 when he posted an 8-4-1 mark in 14 games with the Chicago Wolves (AHL), including a pair of shutouts to go along with a 2.74 goals against average and .914 save percentage.
BRENDAN WARREN
Left Wing | 6'0" | 192lbs | Carleton, Michigan
Brendan Warren signed a one-year AHL contract to enter his third professional season, after appearing in 51 regular season games with Rochester last season. Warren tallied four goals and two assists and appeared in two Calder Cup Playoff contests during the Amerks’ run to the North Division Finals.
In 61 career games in the AHL, all with Rochester, Warren has registered 12 points (8+4) while also totaling 50 points (23+27) in 91 contests with the Jacksonville Icemen (ECHL).
