Owen Power, 18, is the Buffalo Sabres' No. The 2021 NHL draft will see the 1st overall pick. (0:34).
Owen Power, a Michigan defenseman, has decided to return to school instead of making the leap to the NHL. Multiple reports claim that the Buffalo Sabres selected Owen Power as the No. 1 pick in last month’s draft.
Power will be the first No. ESPN Stats & Information reports that Power was the No. 1 overall pick to not play in his team’s season opener since 2007-08.
Power's decision is not surprising, considering he had stated that he was leaning towards returning to Michigan during the weeks leading to the draft. The Buffalo News reported Power's decision on Thursday.
Mississauga's 18-year old daughter cited many reasons she wanted to play one more season in Ann Arbor. She also mentioned the desire to have more time to grow and to be able to experience a normal college year without being restricted by coronavirus. Power also wanted to be a part of the Frozen Four after Michigan's season abruptly ended. After positive COVID-19 tests, the 2-seeded Wolverines were expelled from the NCAA tournament.
Kevyn Adams, Sabres general manger, stated that the team is on board with Power's return to school for another year of development.
Adams stated, "This league is tough. I think the biggest mistake we don’t want to make it putting someone in a position where they're just treading water." "We want them ready to play."
Owen Power had previously indicated that he would be returning to Michigan before the Sabres drafted him No. 1. University of Michigan Photography
After trading forward Sam Reinhart, and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen last month, the Sabres are undergoing a major offseason overhaul. They now want to focus on youth and building their team through youth. Captain Jack Eichel is also on trade alert due to a growing rift within the Sabres over whether he will undergo surgery to correct a neck injury that kept him out of action for the last two months.
Power, who is 6'6 and 213 lbs, was an All-Rookie selection for the Big Ten after scoring three goals and providing 13 assists in 26 games. He was chosen to represent Canada in the eventual championships in Latvia in June and May. He played a greater role throughout the tournament and finished with three assists in ten games.
Power was the third NCAA player to be selected in the NHL draft.
After having four of their top five NHL draft picks, the Wolverines have a potential stacked team.
Matthew Beniers, a Michigan center, was ranked No. 2 to the expansion Seattle Kraken defenseman Luke Hughes was selected fourth by the New Jersey Devils and forward Kent Johnson was picked fifth by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
This report was contributed by The Associated Press.
