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Sabres Select Defenseman Daxon Rudolph in First Round of NHL Draft
Rudolph, 18, joins the Sabres after a 78-point season and international medals, and will start at the University of Denver this fall.
- On Friday, the Buffalo Sabres selected defenseman Daxon Rudolph fourth overall in the 2026 NHL Draft, with the 18-year-old greeted by loud cheers at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
- Sabres management secured the pick on Tuesday by trading defenseman Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks, following prognosticators' expectations that Rudolph would be a top-10 selection.
- Rudolph recorded 78 points in 68 games with the Prince Albert Raiders in the regular season, while the Alberta native led all Western Hockey League defensemen with 27 playoff points.
- After his selection, Rudolph thanked his family for their support during his hockey journey. "It's incredible to have this, in front of them and share this moment with them," he said.
- Rudolph plans to begin his college career this fall with the University of Denver, the reigning NCAA champions, having won gold at the 2025 Under-18 World Championship and bronze at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
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Lacombe Express
Lacombe ExpressLacombe’s Daxon Rudolph selected by Buffalo Sabres in 2026 NHL Draft
Lacombe’s Daxon Rudolph has been selected in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft. Rudolph, 18, was selected fourth overall by the Buffalo Sabres on June 26. The Prince Albert Raiders blueliner had a standout season with 78 points in 68 games, followed by 27 points in 19 playoff games to lead all WHL defencemen. Rudolph was greeted by loud cheers from the Sabres faithful at the draft, which took place in the KeyBank Center. “I like to play a co…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
L 43%
C 57%
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