Drew Schiestel was Portland’s top defenseman in 2010-11 before tearing his ACL. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres re-sign Drew Schiestel despite late-season loan

BUFFALO – The Sabres re-signed defenseman Drew Schiestel, who fell so far off the depth chart last season the organization loaned him to the Dallas Stars’ AHL affiliate, to a one-year, two-way contract on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old, the 59th overall pick in 2007, hasn’t appeared in the NHL yet.

Schiestel earned an AHL All-Star berth with Portland in 2010-11 and appeared close to receiving a recall. But he tore his ACL, and then hurt his knee on opening last season, his first game back.

By the winter, Schiestel had become a healthy scratch and ranked eighth on Rochester’s depth chart. He played twice as a forward before the Sabres loaned him to the Texas Stars, where he played 16 times.

Schiestel had two goals, 17 points and a minus-3 rating in 59 total games last year. In 2010-11, he had five goals, 23 points and a plus-15 rating in 45 contests.

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