Sabres Sign Zemgus Girgensons to Entry-Level Contract

[chilly666]

BUFFALO, N.Y. (July 13, 2012) --- Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier today announced that the team has agreed to terms with forward Zemgus Girgensons on a three-year, entry-level contract.

Girgensons (6’2”, 198 lbs., 1/5/94) spent the last two seasons with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League. In 100 regular season USHL games, Girgensons recorded 104 points (45+59) and 115 penalty minutes, adding 12 points (5+7) in 13 playoff games.

As the team's captain last season, Girgensons led the Fighting Saints in goals (24), points (55), power play goals (5) and game-winning goals (6) despite playing in only 49 of Dubuque's 60 games. Girgensons also served as alternate captain for Team Latvia at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he scored two goals in six games.

The Sabres selected Girgensons with their second of two first-round picks (14th overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, making the Riga, Latvia native the highest Latvian draft pick in NHL history.