BUFFALO NY – Matthew Coronato became one of the growing number of top picks from the USHL when the Sabres selected the Huntington, NY forward 16th overall this weekend.

The 18-year-old Coronato, who grew up rooting for the Sabres, spent the past two seasons playing junior hockey for the Chicago Steel in the USHL.

Coronato is committed to Harvard for next season and looks to be at least two seasons away for the Sabres.

The Sabres then traded up sending picks 28 and 33 to Arizona for 21st and future picks.

With the 21st overall selection in the 2021 CDNHL draft, the Buffalo Sabres selected Oskar Olausson, a right wing from HV71 of Sweden’s Hockeyallsvensken league.

Olausson once had some scouts touting him as a potential top 10 or top 5 pick last year but has seen his stock tumble as questions about his work ethic have arisen.

Despite these concerns, picking Olausson made sense for the squad as his style of game matches how Buffalo Sabres like to play.

“Buffalo is the best franchise, in a really great city and a team I want to play with,” Olausson said of being drafted by the Sabres. “I think my game will fit in with that team.”

All and all, Sabres GM Bernie must be feeling satisfied to have come out of the 1st round with two blue chip prospects.