Sunday, February 16, 2014

Draft stuff: Sabres bloodlines well-positioned

The past three years have seen the Sabres alumni become a bigger piece of the brand strategy being executed by the Pegula family. With the 2014 draft four months away, it seems worthwhile to update the progress of a few "Sabres sons" who are working hard in hopes of being selected when the teams convene in Philadelphia.

Portland Winterhawks forward Dominic Turgeon has flipped the switch offensively since the calendar turned into 2014. The powerful 6-foot-2 project, who captured just three goals and 11 points in his first 31 games, has gone off with seven goals and 17 points in 21 games of the new year to improve his draft stock heading into the WHL playoffs.

Turgeon's steady ramp-up hit a peak in the past week, with the Colorado product scoring four goals, including two short-handed, and adding four assists as the Winterhawks pushed their regulation unbeaten streak to 18 games. Carrying the momentum to a strong finish should see Turgeon improve upon his 130th ranking when Central Scouting releases their final list.


Turgeon's father Pierre was chosen first overall by the Sabres in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. Four years later, he was dealt to the New York Islanders as part of a deal that landed Pat LaFontaine in Buffalo. This past week, Lafonatine's son Daniel (also a 2014 draft eligible) committed to play hockey at Canisius College.

In the BCHL, Jack Ramsey has been using his big frame to create chaos in front of opposing goals for the high-powered Penticton Vees. Son of former all-star defender Mike, the budding Jack has gathered nine goals and 23 points this season in 52 junior A tilts en route to being named the 151st ranked North American skater in Central Scouting's midterm list. Ramsey is set to continue his development under head coach Don Lucia at the University of Minnesota in the fall of 2014.



In the QMJHL, Sherbrooke forward Daniel Audette has been red hot of late, producing points in six straight contests and 13 of his last 16 for the last-place Phoenix. The smallish, shifty forward, ranked the 59th North American skater by Central Scouting, has 17 goals and 67 points in 56 games, all the while employing the same skilled, sneaky style that his father Donald played with throughout his 735-game NHL career.


Two spots after Audette on Central's midterm list reveals yet another familiar name to Sabres fans.

Nebraska-Omaha commit Luc Snuggerud (nephew of Dave) has been pushing the pace from the back end for the past two seasons with Eden Prairie of the Minnesota high school ranks. The mobile defender, whose USHL rights were recently dealt to the Omaha Lancers from Muskegon, has gathered eight goals and 38 points in 25 class 2A games this season. Snuggerud's Unlcle Dave represented the United States at the 1988 Olympics in Calgary before playing 215 games with the Sabres.