Two years after he was drafted, Devante Stephens has signed with the Buffalo Sabres.
Stephens, a six-foot-two, 176-pound defenseman from Surrey, was drafted by the Sabres in the fifth round (122nd overall) by the Sabres in the 2015 National Hockey League Entry Draft. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with Buffalo on Wednesxday (April 26).
The 20-year-old is in his third season with the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League, and has put up career-best offensive numbers. After totaling six goals and 22 points in his first two seasons in the central Okanagan, Stephens has scored 13 goals and added 22 assists for 35 points this season.
He led all Rockets blue liners in goal scoring, and was ninth in the WHL.
The Rockets are currently playing in the WHL’s Western Conference final. They are tied at two games apiece with the Seattle Thunderbirds. In 15 playoff games, Stephens has tallied seven assists.