Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Rochester Americans have released goaltender Topias Leinonen from his professional try-out, it was reported late last week.
Leinonen, a 2022 second round pick of the Buffalo Sabres, joined the Americans after spending the season playing in Sweden’s second-tier pro league, the HockeyAllsvenskan. Across 25 appearances with Mora IK, Leinonen posted a record of 13-10-0 along with a 2.31 GAA and a .910 SP. Having seen a further six playoff games, Leinonen went 2-4 while putting up a 2.18 GAA and a .929 SP.
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Before heading to Sweden this past year, Leinonen played his junior hockey as well as a bit of pro in his home country of Finland.
With the Sabres having signed Leinonen to an entry-level deal in March, he will most likely begin next season with the Americans. Having played well in his first full year of pro in Sweden, Leinonen has intriguing tools at his disposal and will be one to watch to see how he develops on North American ice.