Sabres wrap 2024 NHL Draft by selecting goalie Ryerson Leenders with 219th pick

Las Vegas, Nev. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - With their final selection of the 2024 NHL Draft at 219th overall in the seventh round, the Buffalo Sabres round out their draft class with the selection of goaltender Ryerson Leenders from the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

The Nanticoke, Ontario native appeared in 46 games with the Steelheads this past season, posting a 24-17-4 record and lead the OHL in save percentage (.909). His 24 wins also ranked 10th amongst all goalies in the league during the regular season.

The 6-foot-2, 179-pound netminder was ranked the 10th-best North American goaltender by NHL Central Scouting.

The 18-year-old also earned a gold medal with Team Canada at the IIHF U-18 World Championship in Finland, playing in one game and giving up just one goal in a win. Leenders also won the gold medal with Canada at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Here is what Elite Prospects had to say about Leenders in their scouting report:

"For a goaltender with an average-sized frame, Leenders surprisingly takes up a lot of net. His stance is balanced and narrow when the puck is worked around the zone, which gives him excellent access to his edges and keeps him patient on odd-man rush attempts. He rarely makes the first move, and can make last-second adjustments with his edgework."

Up next for the Sabres is the opening of NHL Free Agency on Monday, which also coincides with the opening of Sabres Development Camp at Harborcenter, which runs through Thursday, July 4.