BUFFALO – The Sabres added depth to their organization Thursday, signing center Kevin Porter, a former Hobey Baker winner with 163 games of NHL experience.
Following a 35-game season, Porter could be ticketed for AHL Rochester. The 26-year-old was a healthy scratch 43 times in 2011-12 with Colorado. He last appeared in the minors during 2009-10.
In 2010-11, his first full NHL season, Porter had 14 goals, 25 points, 27 penalty minutes and a minus-11 rating in 74 contests.
Phoenix drafted Porter 119th overall in 2004, and he made his NHL debut with the Coyotes in 2008-09. He has 25 goals, 45 points and 48 penalty minutes over parts of five seasons.
Porter, 6-feet and 190 pounds, was a collegiate star at the University of Michigan, compiling 85 goals and 183 points in 162 games over four seasons. A 33-tally, 63-point season earned him the NCAA’s top player award in 2007-08. His four-goal performance against Niagara University in that season’s NCAA Tournament set a record.
The Sabres have two other Hobey Baker winners – defenseman Jordan Leopold and goalie Ryan Miller.