VANCOUVER – The Buffalo Sabres were expected to take a goalie this year, and sure enough, they selected Erik Portillo 67th overall today in the third round at the NHL Draft.
Portillo spent last season at home in Sweden with Frölunda’s under-20 junior team, compiling a 1.90 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage.
The 6-foot-6, 209-pound Portillo could play in North America next season. The junior United States Hockey League’s Dubuque Fighting Saints own his rights. Elite Prospects also lists him as a Michigan commitment.
Update: The Sabres traded the 122nd and 175th picks to the Vancouver Canucks for the 102nd selection, which they used to take Aaron Huglen, a forward from Roseau High School in Minnesota.
The 5-foot-11, 165-pound Huglen, 18, compiled 17 goals and 52 points in in 24 high school games last season. He also scored four goals and 14 points in 28 outings with the USHL’s Fargo Force.
Huglen, like Ryan Johnson, a defenseman the Sabres selected 31st Friday, is committed to play college hockey at Minnesota next season.
Update: The Sabres traded the 177th and 191st picks to the Detroit Red Wings for the 143rd selection, which they used to take Swedish winger Filip Cederqvist.
The 6-foot-1, 187-pound Cederqvist, 18, spent part of last season with the Swedish Hockey League’s Växjö Lakers, compiling four goals and eight points in 33 games. He also scored 14 goals and 32 points in 26 contests with the Lakers’ under-20 junior team.
Central Scouting rated Cederqvist No. 119 among European skaters.
Update: With the 160th pick, the Sabres drafted Czech winger Lukas Rousek.
The 5-foot-11, 165-pound Rousek, 20, spent part of last season with the Czech League’s HC Sparta Praha, compiling four goals and nine points in 34 games competing against men.
Central Scouting rated Rousek No. 39 among European skaters.
NHL Central Scouting rated Huglen No. 90 among North American skaters.