The Buffalo Sabres have dipped into the college free agent market, agreeing to terms with Brandon Biro on a two-year entry-level contract. The young forward just finished his senior season at Pennyslvania State University, where he served as captain. Sabres GM Jason Botterill released a short statement on the signing:
Brandon will bring a combination of skill, hockey sense and character to our organization. We’re confident that his four years at Penn State with Coach Gadowsky have prepared him well for the next phase of his development.
Biro, 22, has been a standout for years now at Penn State, scoring at a near point-per-game pace since his sophomore season. The undersized forward will jump into professional hockey hoping that production continues and that he’ll be useful depth for a Buffalo team still looking for an identity.
From Sherwood Park, Alberta, Biro was the AJHL Rookie of the Year a season before Cale Makar burst into the league and took all the attention. While he likely won’t have the same trajectory as that former opponent, there’s certainly hope that Biro can make a mark at the pro level.
This is the best news of the year. What a pickup. Any Penn State grad who was a captain too can only help Sabres return to their halcyon days.