By Warren Kozireski —
It has been 5 years for the reason that Buffalo Sabres made St. Catharines, Ontario native and former Buffalo Jr. Sabres Matteo Costantini their fifth-round choice within the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. However that doesn’t imply that he has fallen off their radar.
The 6’1”, 195 lb. heart is wrapping up his collegiate hockey profession by serving to lead the Western Michigan Broncos to the primary Frozen 4 in program historical past and a championship sport title with Boston College as the highest seed.
“It’s thrilling; you’re employed for this all 12 months…and it’ going to be good,” Costantini stated the day earlier than the semi-final. “You at all times dream about enjoying in an NHL rink so now we’re right here so now I’m going to take advantage of it and benefit from the expertise.
“Yearly that I’ve been right here I believe I’ve been doing higher. (The coaches) acquired a terrific plan in place for me to comply with and I believe it reveals with the crew’s success.
Costantini wears an “A,” performs within the bumper place on the crew’s high energy play unit and sees time on the penalty kill and registered 23 factors in 39 video games this season. He arrange the game-winning objective in double additional time of their semi-final win.
“That was a terrific sport; I want it will have completed a little bit bit earlier, however that’s an superior option to win and now we’re trying ahead to Saturday,” he stated after the semi-final win.
After his two seasons with the Jr. Sabres, Costantini headed to Sioux Metropolis within the USHL. Then it was off to North Dakota for 2 seasons, the primary the place he was named to the NCHC All-Rookie Group.
“I believe this spot simply match me very nicely; I keep in mind speaking with (head coach Pat Ferschweiler) Fersch after I entered the portal and I used to be, like man, this can be a man that I actually wish to play for and I’ve actually loved my time right here and it’s been numerous enjoyable.”
Costantini was in Sabres Growth Camp final July, one other indicator that’s nonetheless on the radar.
“I believed it went good. It’s at all times good getting down there and seeing all of the employees and group, assembly all the opposite prospects so I believed it was a terrific expertise.”
However he and the Broncos produce other enterprise to take care of first in St. Louis. Then he hopes to maneuver ahead.
“That’s at all times the objective, the subsequent step, however the focus is tomorrow evening. I do know (Rochester) is a good spot. Speaking with different prospects this summer season they usually find it irresistible there and I do know they love the teaching employees and the entire group is phenomenal. It sounds actually cool and great place to be in and it will be cool to be there.”
(Pictures by Western Michigan Athletics/Males’s Hockey)
