Five first-round picks, including centers Konsta Helenius, the 14th overall selection this year, and Jiri Kulich, who scored 27 goals in the AHL last season, highlight the 22-man Prospects Challenge roster the Buffalo Sabres released Tuesday.
Forwards Noah Ostlund, Isak Rosen and defenseman Ryan Johnson are the other Buffalo first-rounders who will be participating in the rookie camp tournament that runs from Friday until Monday at LECOM Harborcenter.
Kulich, Rosen and Johnson all played their first NHL games last season.
The roster features 13 forwards, seven defensemen, including Vsevolod Komarov, and two goalies.
Komarov earned the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League’s top defenseman award and playoff MVP honors last season with the Drummondville Voltigeurs. The Sabres drafted the Russian in the fifth round in 2022, 134th overall.
Sabres rookies will practice Wednesday afternoon. They open the tournament Friday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
