The Buffalo Sabres have signed NCAA free agent Casey Nelson to an entry-level deal, the team announced Wednesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We’ve been consistently impressed with Casey’s play for the last two years,” Sabres General Manager Tim Murray said via release. “We identified him as one of the top college free agents available and we’re excited to have him join the organization.”
Nelson will forgo his final year of college eligibility to turn pro.
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This season he played his third year for Minnesota State, scoring six goals and 22 points through 40 games. Offensively, that’s a step back from last season’s 33 points in a year when Mankato was a force in the WCHA. This year Minnesota State may have been the most defensively sound team in the wCHA and Nelson was a leader on the blueline.
He was named WCHA Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the All-WCHA First Team for his efforts.
The native of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin had been rumored to be leaning toward playing his senior year at Minnesota State over the last couple weeks. This apparent shift ends those rumors.
NEWS: Sabres have signed defenseman Casey Nelson (Minnesota State) to entry-level contract. https://t.co/MXHDyLcY04 pic.twitter.com/pcZuJBwxjn
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 22, 2016
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