COLUMBUS (LGS) — After a day-off Friday, the Buffalo Sabres finally made their way to the podium Saturday morning with the 31st selection in the 2007 NHL entry draft.
They used their first pick of the day to select American-born defenseman T. J. Brennan of the St. John's Fog Devils (QMJHL). Brennan — a native of Willingboro, New Jersey — is six-foot and weighs 204 pounds.
He's scouted as an offensive-defenseman who models his game after Toronto's Bryan McCabe. In 2007, his rookie season in the junior league, Brennan recorded 16 goals and 25 assists in 68 games played. He also racked up 79 penalty minutes.
His performance was good enough to earn him the Raymond-Legace Trophy — awarded to the top rookie defenseman — as well as Rookie-of-the-Month honors in February for scoring 11 points in 11 contests.
Following their pick of Brennan, the Sabres selected another defenseman with their second selection (59th overall) of the second round by grabbing Drew Schiestel of the Mississauga Ice Dogs (OHL).
Schiestel — a 6-foot-1, 180 pound blueliner — is from nearby Hamilton, Ontario.
Last season, Schiestel recorded six goals and 15 assists in 66 games. He added six assists in five playoff games last season. He is described as a quick, puck-moving defenseman.
It marks the first time since 1986 that the Sabres used their first two picks on blueliners.
Sabres Grab RW in Third Round
With their third round selection (89th overall), the Sabres selected right winger Corey Tropp from Sioux Falls of the USHL. The 5-foot-11, 183 pounder is a Grosse Pointe, Michigan native.
Sabres Trade Fourth for Two Fifths
The Sabres traded their fourth round selection (116th overall) to the Calgary Flames in exchange for the Flames' two fifth round sections (139th and 147th overall).
Sabres Go Goalie With First of Two Fifths
With the first of their two acquired fifth round choices (139th overall), the Buffalo Sabres selected goaltender Bradley Eidsness of the Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. He will begin attending the University of North Dakota in the fall.
Sabres Decide on Center in Fifth Round
With their second pick in the fifth round (147th overall), the team decided on center Jean-Simon Allard from St. John's of the QMJHL. The 6-foot-2 pivot has good size and speed, but has been knocked due to his inconsistency. Allard joins teammate, and second-round choice, T. J. Brennan in the Sabres organization.
Team Values Center with Sixth Round Choice
In the Sixth Round, Buffalo selected center Paul Byron of Gatineau (QMJHL). The native of Ottawa, On. is listed at a diminutive 135 pounds, but has massive offensive potential, scoring a goal-per-game in Gatineau's first-round playoff exit last season.
Second Goalie Selection Begins Buffalo's Seventh Round
With the first of two Buffalo selections in the final round of the draft, Buffalo selected their second goalie of the afternoon in Nick Eno. The Howell, Mich. native is listed as 6-foot-3, 190 pounds. He spent last season with Green Mountain of the EJHL.
Sabres Close Their Draft with Defenseman
Buffalo ended their portion of the draft by selecting defenseman Drew MacKenzie of Taft High School in Connecticut with the 209th overall pick. The Stamford, Conn. native is 6-foot-2 and weighs 200 pounds. He is committed to the University of Vermont for next season.
