A former Coquitlam Express is now a Buffalo Sabre.
Forward Tyler Kopff, who scored 93 points in 107 games over two seasons in Coquitlam — from 2021-23 — signed a two-year entry-level contract with the NHL team Tuesday.
We have signed forward Tyler Kopff to a two-year entry-level contract that will begin in 2025-26.
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 25, 2025
Kopff will join @AmerksHockey on a tryout contract for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. Details → https://t.co/tS5j0nfU3C pic.twitter.com/FpZyUbDOE4
According to PuckPedia, a website that tracks NHL contracts, Kopff's deal is worth $975,000 a season, including an annual $97,500 signing bonus.
The 21-year-old will finish his season on an amateur tryout with Buffalo’s minor league affiliate, the Rochester Americans, prior to his contract taking effect for the 2025-26 season. He was an undrafted free agent after just completing his sophomore season at Brown University where he scored 28 points in 32 games. His 19 assists led the team and he was named to the Ivy League First Team.
Kopff also earned Third Team All-ECAC honours.
Express general manager Tali Campbell, who brought Kopff to Coquitlam from Ridgewood, N.J., said the young prospect always had a drive to succeed.
“From the moment Tyler stepped onto the ice, it was clear he possessed an exceptional work ethic and an unwavering commitment to the game,” said Campbell. “He was destined to make the jump to the NHL at some point.”
In a social media post, Kopff thanked his “family, friends, coaches and teammates that have supported me along this journey.”
Kopff is 6'4" and weighs 215 pounds. He could be in the Americans' lineup on Friday, March 28, when the Bridgeport Islanders visit Rochester.
Coquitlam hopes to find winning ways again to finish regular season
The Express closes out its BC Hockey League regular season schedule this weekend.
Coquitlam travels to Langley for a game against the Rivermen on Friday at 7:15 p.m. then returns home to the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex Saturday to play the Victoria Grizzlies at 7 p.m.
The Express slipped to sixth place in the Coastal Conference after a pair of losses to the Prince George Spruce Kings and Nanaimo Clippers last weekend. The results extended the team's late-season swoon to five losses in a row.
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