Here is a quick update on the players selected in 2023:
Ethan Miedema – LW – 109th overall
The Sabres appeared more focused on adding players with size in 2023 after focusing on skill and speed in the last couple of drafts. The 6’4”, 212 lb. Miedema reflected that trend. After being sent by Windsor to Kingston in the Shane Wright deal, the 20-year-old scored 21 points in 32 games with the Frontenacs to finish out the season. Miedema, in his first full season with Kingston, had 41 points, but this season he averaged nearly a point per game (23 goals, 34 assists in 66 games). The Sabres must sign Miedema to an entry-level contract by the end of June to prevent his rights from being lost and his re-entry into the NHL Draft.
Scott Ratzlaff – G – 141st overall
After putting up a 25-8-1 record with a loaded Seattle Thunderbirds squad two years ago, the 20-year-old numbers were more pedestrian last season (21-26-2, 3.33 GAA, .905 save percentage) for the rebuilding WHL club. This season, Ratzlaff finished 23-19-4, with a 3.16 GAA and .910 save% and after being signed to his entry-level deal in October seems to be in position to be the replacement for Devon Levi in Rochester next season.
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Sean Keohane – D – 173rd overall
A physical specimen at 6’4”, 205 lb., Keohane came out of Dexter Southfield Prep in Massachusetts and was slated to play a full season in the USHL with Tri-City before heading to Harvard, but after 16 games, the 20-year-old shifted to West Kelowna in the BCHL to get more playing time. This season, he played 11 games for the Crimson and finished with two assists.
Norwin Panocha – D – 205th overall
Drafted out of Berlin in the DEL, the 6’2”, 190 lb. defenseman opted to come to North America and play for Chicoutimi in the QMJHL. In 52 QMJHL games, Panocha had 15 assists. The 20-year-old also played for Germany at the WJC in Sweden and in Ottawa last January. After being dropped by the Sagueneens, he was selected by Prince Albert in the CHL Import Draft but played only 3 games for the Raiders before he was dropped again.
After a brief stop playing in the USHL, Panocha has returned home to play for Berlin, where he finished with two assists in 16 DEL games.
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