Sabres sign defenseman Chad Ruhwedel

Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier has announced the Sabres signed free agent defenseman Chad Ruhwedel (ROO-wee-dell) to a two-year, entry-level contract.

Ruhwedel (age 22, 5'11", 188 lbs.) recently finished his third season at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, recording 23 points (7 goals, 16 assists) and 20 penalty minutes though 41 games in 2012-13. He ranked fourth among all Hockey East defensemen in scoring while helping the River Hawks win the conference championship and advance to the 2013 Frozen Four.

In addition to receiving First-team All-America honors, Ruhwedel was named the 2013 Bob Monahan Defenseman of the Year by the New England Hockey Writers Association and earned 2013 Hockey East All-Conference First Team honors.

Through three seasons with the River Hawks, Ruhwedel appeared in 110 games and amassed 63 points (15/48).

Prior to his career at UMass Lowell, the San Diego native played for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League. In two seasons with the Stampede, Ruhwedel tallied 33 points (5/28) through 113 games.