Exploring Sabres Prospect Noah Laaouan’s Journey to the AHL

The Buffalo Sabres are recognized for their impressive depth in the prospect pool, a testament to their strategic selections in recent drafts, driven by a string of seasons without playoff qualifications. This keen eye for talent has begun to bear fruit, evident in the performances of players like 2023 first-round pick Zach Benson, who made a notable playoff impact, and 2024 top prospect Konsta Helenius, who has emerged as a standout in the AHL over the last two seasons.

As the Sabres prepare for training camp in mid-September, attention turns to their top 40 prospects—players aged 25 and younger, whose rights are held by the Sabres or who are currently on AHL or NHL contracts, and who have played fewer than 82 NHL games.

One such prospect is Noah Laaouan, a 25-year-old defenseman currently with the Rochester Americans in the AHL. Despite the Sabres’ focus on drafted talent, they have successfully identified contributors from undrafted backgrounds, such as Zach Metsa, who made a significant impact in the NHL after joining Rochester on an AHL deal in 2023. Laaouan, also signed to an AHL deal, has a compelling story of perseverance.

Undrafted after five seasons in the QMJHL with Cape Breton and Charlottetown, Laaouan signed a minor-league contract with the Arizona Coyotes in 2022, spending much of his time in the ECHL. In 2023, he played predominantly with Trois-Rivières but ended the season splitting time between the Jacksonville Icemen and the Amerks.

His performance with the Icemen in the 2024-25 season was a notable highlight, where he tallied 44 points (8 goals, 36 assists) in 67 games. Last season, Laaouan played exclusively with Rochester, contributing nine points (2 goals, 7 assists) over 40 games. With an inexperienced blueline expected for the Amerks next season, the Halifax, NS native stands poised for an expanded role in the lineup.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.