Stafford Signs With The Sabres

University of North Dakota forward Drew Stafford has become the most recent WCHA player to bolt to the NHL ranks. He joins teammate Matt Smaby, Denver's Matt Carle, Minnesota's Ryan Potulny and Danny Irmen, Minnesota State's David Backes, and Wisconsin's Robbie Earl as college players signing professional contracts in the offseason. Stafford was a first round pick of the Sabres. While the loss of Stafford will certainly hurt the Sioux next season, it wasn't a surprise, and UND still returns an exceptional crop of young stars for next season.