Buffalo Sabres Prospect Profile: Ashton Schultz Showcases Promising Future

The Buffalo Sabres have established themselves as a powerhouse in developing young talent, boasting one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL. This depth is a direct result of their strategic drafting, particularly in recent years, as they’ve often selected high due to not qualifying for the playoffs. The organization’s keen eye for talent has started to pay off, highlighted by 2023 first-round pick Zach Benson making a notable impact in the playoffs, and 2024 top pick Konsta Helenius emerging as one of the AHL’s most promising prospects over the last two seasons.

As the Sabres gear up for training camp in mid-September, they are taking a closer look at their top 40 prospects. This group includes players aged 25 and under who are either on AHL or NHL contracts or whose rights are held by the Sabres, all having played fewer than 82 NHL games.

At number 37 on the list is Ashton Schultz, a center from the Chicago Steel and Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL. The Sabres have continued their trend of selecting players with longer development timelines, a strategy that remains viable despite recent changes to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen and his scouting team will have ample time to assess Schultz, who was chosen in the sixth round (167th overall) during the first decentralized draft held in Los Angeles.

A native of Victoria, Minnesota, Schultz honed his skills in the highly regarded Minnesota high school hockey system. He made a brief appearance in the USHL with Sioux Falls at just 17 years old, while also racking up an impressive 57 points in 28 games for Minnetonka High School. In the 2024-25 season, he notched 39 points, including 14 goals and 25 assists, in 57 games for the Chicago Steel. Last season, he continued to impress, splitting his time between Chicago and Sioux City, tallying 42 points (17 goals, 25 assists) in 49 games.

Schultz is set to join the University of North Dakota this fall, where he hopes to further develop his game. Standing at 5’11” and weighing 181 pounds, he is recognized by Elite Prospects for his strong two-way play. They describe him as a player who consistently provides options for his teammates, whether offensively, defensively, or along the boards. His ability to disrupt the opposition’s plays and retrieve pucks at a high rate showcases his play-killing skills and determination on the ice.

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