Sabres loan Ostlund to SHL Vaxjo

The Buffalo Sabres have loaned forward Noah Ostlund to the Vaxjo Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League, the team announced Wednesday.

Ostlund, 19, was selected by the Sabres during the first round (16th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. He signed his entry-level contract with the organization last July.

Ostlund tallied 26 points (8+18) in 37 games last season playing with Djurgardens of HockeyAllsvenskan, the second-tier professional league in Sweden. He later joined the Rochester Americans for a portion of their playoff run, though an injury limited him to off-ice activities.

"I learned a lot," Ostlund said in July during Sabres development camp. "It was a couple of good weeks there. I met all of the staff and the players, so I had a great time and learned how it is to play in the American league."

The Stockholm native also spoke during development camp about his plan to return for another season in Sweden with the Lakers, who won the SHL championship in 2022-23.

"I think in Vaxjo I'll get a very good experience to play in the SHL," he said. "I think that will make my path to the NHL quicker."