West Seneca native Sean Malone, who played five of his first six pro seasons in the Buffalo Sabres organization, has signed a two-year contract with the SCL Tigers, a Swiss National League team.
Malone, 28, has spent most of his career with the Rochester Americans, compiling 62 goals and 133 points in 261 games.
The versatile center played one contest for the Sabres, his pro debut late in 2016-17 after leaving Harvard. He made his second NHL appearance with the Nashville Predators in 2020-21, when he left the Buffalo organization for one season.
The 6-foot, 197-pound Malone often had a major role for the Amerks, earning ice time in every situation.
Over the years, he added more offense to his repertoire, and he enjoyed a career season in 2021-22, registering 20 goals and 37 points in 39 games. Last season, he compiled 14 goals and 31 points in 51 contests. He added three goals and nine points in 14 outings as the Amerks advanced to the Eastern Conference finals of the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs.
Malone, however, constantly battled injuries that almost certainly cost him opportunities to be recalled and play more NHL games.
The Sabres drafted Malone in the sixth round in 2013, 159th overall.
He’s the second Amerks player who has signed a two-year deal in Switzerland this offseason. Defenseman Lawrence Pilut departed for Lausanne HC in June.
Former Sabres center Cody Eakin played for the Tigers last season.
