Patrick Geary’s Homecoming

It’s only a 23-minute drive from Hamburg, NY to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo. For Patrick Geary, the distance could be longer after his time at Michigan State. However, the Hamburg native is back in Buffalo to play for the Sabres after being drafted last week.

Buffalo selected the defenseman in the sixth round Saturday night. Geary spent time with the Buffalo Sabres junior team and attended St. Francis High School in the area. He spent his freshman year with the Spartans. During his time on the ice, the 6-foot-1 defenseman scored five goals and recorded 13 points in 32 games.

Before moving on to Michigan State, he spent time in the USHL. Now he’s back where he started as the Sabres’ development camp is underway. Geary spoke to reporters about his excitement about being back in the city of Buffalo and playing with the Sabres. “I just went to these games, the seats are packed. What better place to be? Playing hockey in Buffalo; there’s no other place I’d rather be,” he said.

Geary joins the list of former Buffalo natives who have been drafted by the Sabres since general manager Kevyn Adams arrived. Gavin McCarthy and Matteo Costantini were both drafted by their hometown teams.

He is also the second Michigan State player to be drafted by Buffalo in recent years. Max Strback was drafted by Buffalo a year ago after playing hockey there. Spartans head coach Adam Nightingale is the brother of Sabres scout Jason Nightingale.

Patrick appears to be part of the new direction Adams and Lindy Ruff are taking. So far, the organization appears to be ending its playoff drought by getting younger through both the draft and the start of free agency.