Lukas Rousek

January 2024 – Rousek is currently leading the Rochester Americans in scoring with seven goals and 26 points in 33 games. He received a five-game stint in Buffalo in early November 2023, although he did not score while averaging 11:14 of ice time per game. The 24-year-old is likely among the first players to be recalled to the Sabres in the event of an injury due to his energetic pace and aggressive style of play. Kevin Wong

May 2023 – After a brief, injury-shortened, nineteen-game AHL sample last season, Rousek experienced his first full campaign with the Rochester Americans in 2022-2023. He scored 16 goals and 56 points in 70 games, bringing a high motor and a sense of electricity to his team’s performances. The 24-year-old led the Americans in scoring during the regular season, earning two call-ups to the Buffalo Sabres. He made his NHL debut on March 27, 2023 against Montreal, and scored his first career goal as well as an assist in 9:03 of ice time. He returned to the Sabres’ lineup for one game on April 14 following another month-long stint in Rochester. Rousek was designated a 2023 AHL All-Star as a result of his efforts. He finished the regular season with a streak of 17 points in 17 games. So far in the AHL playoffs, Rousek has recorded four assists in five games against Syracuse. His team is poised to face Toronto next in the North Division Finals. Kevin Wong

August 2020 – Rousek had a tremendous 2019-2020 season with HC Sparta Praha of the Czech Extraliga. He tallied 14 goals and 29 points in 52 games, fifth in scoring among players on his team and a significant jump from his previous season’s totals. He is an explosive skater who utilizes his speed to pressure the opponent and force turnovers. He is the type of aggressive speedster who can chase down loose pucks and race past flat-footed defencemen. He plays in all situations and takes advantage of his speed along with some puck skills to generate offense. He is 21 years old and may look to make the jump to North American hockey at some point soon, but is still signed with his Extraliga team for another season. Kevin Wong

January 2019 – Lukas Rousek was an over-ager when he was selected at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. He is having an outstanding campaign with HC Sparta Praha. While it took Rousek a long time to get drafted, he is finally showing just how effective he is. The Czech winger seems to thrive on the rush and will make quality passes while going at full speed which leads to great scoring chances. The speedy winger is able to out-skate his competition left and right. In 39 games, Rousek has tallied 13 goals and 7 assists. If Rousek can continue at this pace, when his HC Sparta Praha contract is up, the Sabres might consider bringing him to North America and having him play in the AHL. Josh Tessler