PROSPECT SHOWCASE DAY ONE NOTEBOOK: BREAKING DOWN THE ROSTER
Eight current or soon-to-be Amerks comprise the 22-player roster who will play two games versus Boston Bruins prospects this weekend
Sep 12, 2026By Griffin Della Penna | @GriffinDP_
With hockey season rapidly approaching, the Buffalo Sabres preseason officially begins as they host their annual rookie showcase in Western New York at LECOM Harborcenter. The Prospect Showcase (previously the Prospect Challenge) looks different compared to previous seasons. Previously, the Queen City hosted rookie teams from the Boston Bruins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New Jersey Devils stretched over five days.
The new format provides two practices days before a two-game series against the Bruins on Sunday at 5 p.m. and Monday at noon. (Get your tickets today link) Prior to next season, the Bruins will host the Sabres for two prospect games to gear up for the 2027-28 NHL campaign.
The Prospects Showcase continues to provide young players the opportunity to impress the Sabres front office for additional ice time and roster spots in the system. Buffalo’s roster this year features 22 players, including eight Amerks from this past season. Additionally, there are multiple other skaters who are jumping to the professional ranks that could crack Rochester’s lineup this year.
Let’s take a closer look on who will be on the ice for the Sabres this weekend:
FORWARDS (12):
#53 Cohen Bidgood:
The 19-year-old product from Peterborough, Ontario wrapped up his second season with the OHL’s London Knights in 2025-26. Bidgood recorded 39 points (14+25) in 51 games, compared to just four points (2+2) in 19 games as a rookie.
#59 Matteo Costantini:
Constantini is one of the few returners to the Prospects Showcase out of the forward group, using this experience as a tool to build momentum heading into his second year in Rochester. The St. Catharines, Ontario, product was drafted back in 2020 but signed an AHL deal after winning a NCAA title with Western Michigan in 2025.
In his first season of pro hockey Costantini split time between Rochester and Jacksonville (ECHL). With the Amerks, he skated in 33 games, posting nine points (6+3) that included an overtime winner against Providence in April. The former Jr. Sabre has had plenty of success donning the blue and gold, posting 68 points (36+32) over 50 games during the 2019-20 OJHL season.
#58 Caden Dabrowski:
At just 17 years old, Dabrowski was a standout for the Dubuque Fighting Saints. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound forward finished with 15 goals and 22 assists in his first taste of the USHL. Dabrowski will return to Dubuque and is already committed to Merrimack College next year.
#24 Dylan Dumont:
One of two 2026 Sabres draft picks in attendance, the sixth-round selection has tremendous offensive upside, racking up 28 goals in 62 games for Drummondville in the QMJHL. The skilled winger is set to return to the Voltigeurs this fall for his second year of juniors.
#54 Zac Funk:
A recent acquisition from the Capitals organization this offseason for forward Tyler Kopff. The 23-year-old spent most his season with the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays, scoring 19 points (9+10) in 23 games. Funk also added two assists in 10 appearances with the Hershey Bears. Previously led the WHL with 67 goals in 68 games for the Prince George Cougars.
#74 Brayden Holberton:
Played 174 games over three seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds. Prototypical “power forward” build at 6-foor-4 who racked up 132 penalty minutes in the WHL in 2025-26. Was traded to the Medicine Hat Tigers in a WHL draft-day deal.
#75 Jean-Christoph Lemieux:
Recently appeared for Canada’s U18 squad in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, recording an assist. The Ottawa, Ontario, native averaged over a point per game for the Sudbury Wolves with 25 points (10+15) in 23 games.
#79 Sawyer Mayes:
The final undrafted invitee was a teammate in Seattle with Brayden Holberton and Radim Mrtka. The two-way center had a career year with the Thunderbirds, producing a career-high 17 goals and 14 assists in 68 games.
#70 Jake Richard:
Signed his entry-level contract in May following a three-year collegiate career at UConn. The 22-year-old totaled 88 points (32+56) in 108 games as a Huskie. The Jacksonville, Florida, product is expected to make his pro debut in Rochester as one of the organizations top forward prospects.
#81 Red Savage:
Similar to Costantini, Savage spent 2025-26 bouncing back and forth between Rochester and Jacksonville following a successful college career as a two-time Big 10 Champion at Michigan State. Logged 29 games in the Flower City, registering three goals and three assists a year ago.
#56 Doman Szongoth:
The first NHL Draft pick from Hungary in over two decades was taken by Buffalo in the fifth-round back in June. After playing predominantly in Finland for KooKoo’s U20 team, Szongoth also represented his country at Worlds and World Juniors. Is transitioning to the OHL this upcoming season with the Soo Greyhounds.
#28 Liam Valente:
A fellow National Champion at Western Michigan, Valente put up big numbers with the Broncos with 68 points (34+34) in 81 games. The Swedish winger signed his entry level deal late in the spring, getting his first pro goal with the Amerks in a limited sample size of just two games.
DEFENSEMEN (7):
#93 David Bedkowski:
This 19-year-old right RHD was drafted 71st overall in the 2025 NHL Draft for his physicality. While the Toronto, Ontario bully racked up 118 penalty minutes with the Owen Sound Attack and Ottawa 67’s, Bedkowski also had 29 points (5+24) in 68 contests.
#78 Eddy Doyle:
Entering his third full season with the Halifax Mooseheads. After nine points (2+7) in first year in the QMJHL, Doyle doubled his point totals needing just five more games to do so. Committed to play next year at Northeastern University in 2027-28.
#76 Vsevolod Komarov:
Officially is the longest tenured Amerk at the Prospect Showcase, Komarov already has 124 AHL games under his belt over two seasons. The Chelyabinsk, Russia, native saw his offensive production dip last year after being limited appear in just 55 games. As a rookie, Komarov was in the Rochester lineup 69 times with 16 assists and a plus-seven rating.
#62 Gavin McCarthy:
Buffalo’s own debuted for the Amerks late last season, appearing in five games after wrapping up a three-year career at Boston University. The 2023 third-round selection served as a captain for the Terriers, collecting 21 points (4+17) in 36 games as a junior.
#57 Radim Mrtka:
Returns to the Prospects Showcase after being selected ninth overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, Mrtka began and ended his first professional season with the Amerks. The Czech RHD skated in four AHL games in October before putting up 37 points in 48 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds. Once his WHL season ended, Mrtka was in the lineup for seven more Amerk games that included all three Calder Cup Playoff games.
#80 Kristopher Richards:
A teammate of Caden Dabrowski in Dubuque who will be an alternate captain for the Fighting Saints in year two. Richards had 22 points (9+13) in his rookie USHL season and is committed to play at St. Lawrence University for the 2027-28 NCAA season.
#64 Maxim Štrbák
Strbak played the last three seasons at Michigan State, where he was plus-33 with 46 points in 102 total games. The Slovakian defenseman also participated in four IIHF World Junior Championships, and at the 2026 World Championship.
GOALIES (3):
#35 Talyn Boyko:
Drafted by the New York Rangers organization in 2021 but was limited to 10 AHL starts the last two seasons in Hartford. The 6-foot-8 netminder was loaned by the Wolf Pack to KalPa in Finland, posting a 8-4-4 stat line with 2.97 goals-against average.
#47 Samuel Meloche:
As one of the top goalie prospects in the organization, Meloche has gotten immense experience at just 19-years-old. His 101 starts over the last two season lead the QMJHL, including 30 more in the playoffs. The 2025 fourth-round selection was traded to the Saint John Sea Dogs this offseason and is set to play at Northeastern once completed with juniors.
#32 Scott Ratzlaff:
Showcased his elite athleticism in 28 games played in Rochester and Jacksonville as a rookie. Ratzlaff had a 4-6-2 record and 3.44 goals-against average with the Amerks and had his first professional shutout versus the Springfield Thunderbirds in February.