Two Sabre Picks Sign ATOs with Americans

The Rochester Americans announced Monday afternoon that they signed Buffalo Sabres’ draft selections Eric Cornel and Brycen Martin to amateur tryouts.

Both were selected in the 2014 NHL Draft by the Sabres, Cornel in the 2nd and Martin in the 3rd.

Justin Kea #9 of the Saginaw Spirit skates to check Eric Cornel #10 of the Peterborough Petes during an OHL game at the Memorial Centre on February 20, 2014 in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. The Petes defeated the Spirit 5-2.

(February 19, 2014 – Source: Claus Andersen/Getty Images North America)

Winger Eric Cornel is a two-way player who has a sizeable frame at 6’3″ and 185 lbs and uses it to his advantage in the defense and offensive zone. He is known mostly for his offensive capabilities however and has worked well with Nick Ritchie on the Peterborough Petes of the OHL. He slid a bit in goals this year dropping 11 from last year’s total of 25.

Brycen Martin is an interesting defenseman the Buffalo Sabres have. An offensively minded defender, Martin spends most of his time on the blue line. The left-handed shot doesn’t always find the net, but he can make crisp passes to teammates down low as he sampled many times with the Swift Current Broncos and later when he was traded to the Saskatoon Blades.

Brycen Martin took part in a tournament with other Sabres prospects.

Photo Courtesy: Dan Hickling

That trade also adds to the mystery that is Brycen Martin. Before the WHL trade deadline, the Calgary native was scoring at a regular pace with the Broncos. It was rumored he was traded to the Kamloops Blazers, but the league denied the trade. He would then be traded officially to the Saskatoon Blades. Martin then went on a rampage after the trade scoring 22 point in 30 games and played really well all around.

They both will be tested by the increase in difficulty between juniors and the AHL with the Rochester Americans. The Amerks are experiencing many injuries as well, so they will most likely be put right into the line-up and get ice time.

Cornel plays a game that can be very successful at the AHL level and Martin has an offensive mind that can help on special teams. Both will struggle at first and will need to work in order to impress Sabres General Manager Tim Murray.