Some new faces are taking the ice as the Buffalo Sabres’ preseason has begun.
Monday night’s 4-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets gave fans a first look at defenseman Michael Kesselring, who came over from the Utah Mammoth, along with forward Josh Doan, in exchange for forward JJ Peterka this summer.
Kesselring played alongside Owen Power, his projected defense partner for this upcoming season, and both had an assist in the game.
The 6’5” right-handed defenseman had a career-high 29 points last season with Utah, and hopes to be even more impactful in Buffalo.
“Honestly, I think it’s been really fun,” he said. “I think here compared to Utah, it’s a little bit more offensive and the backend can really move the puck, and we got some forwards up front that can really make some plays and it’s exciting as a puck moving D that can get up in the play. I feel like they’re going to find me a lot of the time, and I think that’s a big thing for me with this team is that I have to bring it every night defensively and being annoying to play against, hard to play against.”
Kesselring also played with Doan and new teammate Tage Thompson for the U.S. at the 2025 IIHF World Championship earlier this year. Thompson scored the game-winning goal to secure the goal medal — only their third tournament title and first since 1960.