Sabres sign 2011 pick; Nathan Lieuwen

The Buffalo Sabres have signed goaltender Nathan Lieuwen to a 3 year entry level contract. Lieuwen. 20, was drafted 167th overall in the 2011 NHL draft by the Buffalo Sabres.

In his second season as the starting goalie for the Kootenay Ice, he posted a record of 27-20-6 with two shutouts. The six-foot-five goaltender finished the Western Hockey League season ranked third in the league in goals against average - 2.50 and fifth in save percentage - .914.

The Abbotsford, British Columbia native has played parts of five season for the Ice. In those five years he posted a record of 85-59-15 with nine shutouts. He backstopped the Ice in the 2010-11 season to a Memorial Cup Championship. That same season he was named the WHL playoff MVP because of his outstanding post-season play. In those 19 playoffs game he was 16-2-1, with a 2.24 goals against average and a .923 save percentage.

Lieuwen will most likely join the Buffalo Sabres American Hockey League affiliate; the Rochester Americans next year as he is no longer eligible to play in the Western Hockey League.

Buffalo signing rating: B, solid goaltender will have a great chance to develop in the AHL and could become a good goalie for the Sabres in the future