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UMass Lowell's Chad Ruhwedel signs with Buffalo Sabres

UMass Lowell junior defenseman Chad Ruhwedel will forgo his final season, and could suit up for the Buffalo Sabres as early as today's 3 p.m. game, according to TSN.

By Joshua Kummins
Chad Ruhwedel and the UMass Lowell River Hawks saw their season end in Thursday's Frozen Four semifinal, but he reportedly made quick work of deciding his future.
Chad Ruhwedel and the UMass Lowell River Hawks saw their season end in Thursday's Frozen Four semifinal, but he reportedly made quick work of deciding his future.
Justin K. Aller

UPDATE: Buffalo makes it official

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Reports of UMass Lowell junior Chad Ruhwedel's departure to the Buffalo Sabres begun swirling last night and the dust has seemed to settle early Saturday for the free agent prospect.

TSN's Bob McKenzie tweeted that the San Diego, Calif., native could suit up in the NHL as early as today if a contract is signed and finalized. The Sabres are hosting the Philadelphia Flyers in an NBC Sports Network national game today at 3 p.m.

Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers suffered a serious season-ending injury on Thursday, opening the way for his likely signing.

Ruhwedel played in all 41 games this year for the River Hawks, posting seven goals, including two game-winners, and 16 assists for 23 points. UML was undefeated (6-0-1) in the seven games he scored a goal this season, while it posted a 15-3-1 mark in the 19 contests during which he scored a point.

During last night's "Friday Night at the Frozen Four" festivities at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) alum was named as a CCM Hockey First-Team East All American. The New England Hockey Writers also also named him the Bob Monahan Award winner as the region's best Division I defender.

The 2012-13 season was one Ruhwedel and the RIver Hawks will not soon forget, winning the first Hockey East regular-season and tournament title in school history. After dispatching of Wisconsin and New Hampshire at the NCAA Northeast Regional, UML's best Division I season ever (28-11-2) fell just short of the zenith in a 3-2 overtime loss to Yale on Thursday.

Joshua Kummins covers Hockey East for SB Nation. Follow him on Twitter @JoshuaKummins.