Sabres sign Bloom to entry-level contract

The Buffalo Sabres have signed forward Josh Bloom to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Monday.
Bloom will report to the Rochester Americans and finish the season on an amateur tryout. The entry-level contract will begin with the 2022-23 season.

Buffalo selected Bloom, 18, during the third round (95th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft. He led the Saginaw Spirit with 30 goals and 61 points in 67 games this season.
He had not played in 2020-21 due to the OHL's canceled season.

"Last year we didn't play, but he took that time to get a lot faster and a lot stronger, and now he has totally dominated the league so far in his own way," Saginaw general manager Dave Drinkill told Sabres.com in December.
"One of the first things you'll notice with Josh is his speed. The way he can crash the net and get past defenders is a coach's dream."
Bloom is a native of Oakville, Ontario.