Lincoln’s Adam Kleber selected by Buffalo Sabres with 42nd overall pick – The Rink Live

LAS VEGAS — Adam Kleber added an NHL logo next to his name as the right-handed defenseman was selected by the Buffalo Sabers with the 42nd overall pick Saturday morning.

The 6-foot-6, 215-pound defenseman was the 10th second-round pick and the eighth USHL player in the 2023-24 season to hear his name called in Vegas.

Kleber, a native of Chaska, Minn., will return to his home state this fall and play at Minnesota Duluth after playing in 112 games over the past two seasons with the Lincoln Stars.

“Coming back as a second-year player, he was able to take on a bigger role and he continued to progress in his defensive game,” Lincoln head coach Rocky Russo told The Rink Live this month. last. “But I think he has also become more involved in attack and all the tools are there. »

The second-round selection shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Kleber was considered the USHL’s top non-NTDP blueline prospect.

Some even pegged Kleber as the league’s best defensive prospect, even though NTDP’s EJ Emery was ultimately selected in the first round.

Kleber scored his first USHL goal last September and finished this season with a 5-21-26 record, surpassing his 0-8-8 record as a rookie. Although he finished the season minus-12, he also logged the most playing time on Lincoln’s blue line and found himself on the ice in many key situations.

Jordan McAlpine / The Rink Live

He was also selected to the USHL Academic All-Star Team and now finds himself as the newest addition to one of the top prospect pools in the NHL.

The NHL Draft continues Saturday with rounds two through seven.

Jordan McAlpine is a junior and prospects reporter for The Rink Live.