BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Forward Nathan Gerbe signed a three-year deal potentially worth $2.55 million with the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday, electing to forgo his senior season at Boston College.
A fifth-round pick in the 2005 NHL Draft, the 5-foot-5 Gerbe overcame questions about his lack of size by leading the nation with 68 points (35 goals and 33 assists) in 43 games for the national champion Eagles last season.
Gerbe, from Oxford, Mich., will make an NHL rookie maximum $850,000 per season if he plays all three seasons with the Sabres.
"I couldn't thank Boston College enough, but this opportunity came up and I didn't want to turn it down," said Gerbe, who finished his college career with 133 points (71 goals, 62 assists) in 123 games. "I'm very excited to take this step and very proud."
Besides being a finalist for this year's Hobey Baker Award, presented to college hockey's best player, Gerbe also practiced last month with the U.S. National team as it prepared for the World Championships in Canada.
Gerbe scored against Sweden in an exhibition game.
After spending three seasons with the U.S. National Under-18 team, Gerbe scored 10 goals in his first year at Boston College, and 25 as a sophomore.
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