Kootenay Ice captain Sam Reinhart signed an entry level contract with the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
Reinhart, who was a second overall selection by the Sabres at the 2014 NHL Draft, is the club's highest pick since 1987.
He put up 36 goals and 69 assists while serving as captain of the Kootenay Ice last season, and was named the WHL's Player of the Year and Most Sportsmanlike Player of the year.
“We are very excited to have Sam under contract,” said Sabres general manager Tim Murray. “We look forward to watching him develop and become an important part of our organization in the future.”
Reinhart was selected by the Kootenay Ice 15th overall in the first round of the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft. He broke a franchise rookie scoring record and set new ones during this three full seasons with the club.
He won a bronze and a gold medal with Canada's U18 team and another gold at the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. He also made the national roster for the 2014 World Junior Championship.
Reinhart is currently in Buffalo attending their summer prospects development camp.