Amerks defenseman returns to Sabres organization on two-year contract
Aug 28, 2025
Last October, Jack Rathbone experienced newness and uncertainty. The West Roxbury, Massachusetts, native arrived in Rochester, a city new to him. He signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres, an organization he hadn’t been with prior.
Then came the unfamiliarity of a new staff as Rathbone would be led by the team’s new head coach, Michael Leone, who was behind an AHL bench for the first time in his career.
In October, Rathbone was unsure. Seven months later, his nerves were quelled. His questions answered. Rochester, New York was the place to be.
“We had a really positive exit meeting after the season ended,” said Rathbone when speaking about his conversations with the Amerks coaching staff. “I knew with the experience I had over the course of the year that this was a special place I definitely wanted to be.”
That’s why on the first day of NHL Free Agency, Rathbone wasted no time. The five-year pro will look to spend at least seasons six and seven under the Sabres umbrella, signing a two-year, two-way contract extension.
“My agent knew this was where I wanted to be and we had some conversations with Buffalo. They showed mutual interest and it was a really easy process. I was really excited that we got it done.”
Unrestricted free agents who largely spend their time in the AHL are often in a position where they take what they can get. It’s not foreign for a player to bounce from team to team on one-year deals. Such is life in minor league hockey. That’s what makes this multi-year contract all the more rewarding for Rathbone.
“It was something I was definitely interested in. The two years was something I really wanted just after last season and the special group we had last year. Knowing how many of those guys are coming back and with the staff staying the same, it was something I wanted to be a part of for as long as I could.”
Rathbone skated in 63 games for the red, white, and blue last season, amassing six goals and 23 points in his first year as an Amerk. Three years prior, the Harvard product had an All-Star season in Abbotsford with a 40-point campaign (10+30) in just 39 games.
The offensive side of Rathbone’s game has always been there, and always will be. Rathbone led Rochester in shots on goal with 174, finished third overall amongst AHL…
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