Buffalo, NY ~ The Buffalo Sabres signed goaltender Curtis Sanford on Sunday night to enhance their depth in net. Sanford has performed well in his few starts in the NHL, and the Sabres hope that those good stats will transfer into wins at the OTHL level, or at least at the OTHL minor league level. Sanford will immediatly take over the goaltending duties for the Rochester Americans in the OTMHL.
The Sabres were expected to sign a goaltender once prospects were allowed to be signed, however Sanford was not the goalie everyone thought the Sabres would sign. Taking advantage of the "3rd Goaltender Rule" the Sabres signed Sanford even though he had not played the mandatory 10 NHL games this season.
Fans and the media alike, all believed the first goaltender to be signed would be young bluechipper Ryan Miller, however The Sabres wanted to give him a bit more time in school before deciding to offer him a contract. they feel with Sanford in Rochester, and Giguere in Buffalo, the best place for Miller to get a lot of ice time is back in net for the Michigan State Spartans.
Sanford is expected to make his Rochester debut on Tuesday night.