The Buffalo Sabres are actively bolstering the Amerks’ defensive depth, officially signing prospect Maxim Strbak to a three-year, entry-level contract. While his new NHL deal isn’t set to officially kick in until the 2026-27 season, the 20-year-old defenseman is joining the Rochester Americans on an Amateur Tryout (ATO) for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. This gives fans an early look at the physical blueliner right now, even as the exact financial terms of his future Sabres contract remain undisclosed. Selected by Buffalo in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft after an impressive stint with the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede, Strbak has spent the last three seasons developing his game at the collegiate level. Now, he is ready to take the next step in his professional hockey journey. A Proven Winner at Michigan State During his time at Michigan State, Strbak established himself as a highly reliable force on the back end. Across 102 career games for the...Read More

The Rochester Americans, currently holding a 28-25-5-4 record, are set to continue their current four-game homestand. They will be facing a massive test this Wednesday night at The Blue Cross Arena against the defending Eastern Conference champion Charlotte Checkers, who come into town sporting a formidable 39-21-5-0 record. If you are gearing up for the matchup, here is your essential pregame breakdown. Riding High on Home Ice Rochester enters this contest with plenty of momentum after a thrilling 3-2 shootout victory over the Syracuse Crunch this past Sunday. The Amerks kept pace with their regional rivals in regulation thanks to tallies from Matteo Costantini and Trevor Kuntar. In the shootout, Konsta Helenius and Olivier Nadeau found the back of the net, while Devon Levi shut the door to secure his 20th victory of the campaign. That triumph gave the boys in red, white, and blue a three-game winning streak in their own building and three victories in their last four...Read More