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Sean Malone (ice hockey)

Sean Malone
Born (1995-04-30) April 30, 1995 (age 29)
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Center
Shoots Left
NL team
Former teams
SCL Tigers
Buffalo Sabres
Nashville Predators
NHL draft 159th overall, 2013
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 2017–present

Sean Malone (born April 30, 1995) is an American professional ice hockey forward, currently under contract with the SCL Tigers in the National League (NL). He formerly played with the Buffalo Sabres and Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career

After a successful career at Nichols School, where he was All-State in three sports, Malone was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the sixth round, 159th overall, in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He played college hockey for Harvard University of ECAC Hockey. During his junior and senior years at Harvard, he underwent hip surgery and rehabilitation for his injury.[1] Despite his setbacks, he was signed to a professional contract by the Sabres on April 8, 2017, and made his NHL debut that night in a game against the Florida Panthers as an emergency replacement for Marcus Foligno.[2] He had one shot on net and played over 12 minutes in the 3–0 loss to the Panthers.[1]

After participating in the Buffalo Sabres development camp in July 2017, Malone was unable to participate at the Sabres' rookie camp, the Prospects Challenge tournament, and training camp due to another injury.[1][3] He was then assigned to the Sabres AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, for the 2017–18 season.[3]

On June 25, 2019, Malone opted to remain within the Sabres organization, signing a one-year AHL contract to continue with the Rochester Americans.[4] In the 2019–20 season, Malone in his third season with the Americans appeared in 58 games, placing second on the team in scoring by tallying 30 points, before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a free agent, Malone was able to secure an NHL contract by agreeing to a one-year, two-way contract with the Nashville Predators on July 15, 2020.[5] Malone opened the pandemic delayed 2020–21 season with the Predators, registering an assist in his lone game with the club. He later re-assigned to AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, for the remainder of the year.

As a free agent from the Predators, Malone opted to return to his original club, the Buffalo Sabres, agreeing to a one-year, two-way contract on July 28, 2021.[6]

On August 2, 2023, having left the Sabres at the conclusion of his contract, Malone opted to pursue a European career by signing a two-year contract with Swiss club, SCL Tigers of the NL.[7]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2010–11 Nichols School USHS 14 3 9 12 4 3 3 3 6 0
2011–12 Nichols School USHS 47 51 54 105 22 1 0 1 1 0
2012–13 U.S. National Development Team USHL 15 5 8 13 17
2013–14 Harvard University ECAC 31 6 14 20 16
2014–15 Harvard University ECAC 21 8 10 18 12
2015–16 Harvard University ECAC 27 10 9 19 8
2016–17 Harvard University ECAC 36 18 24 42 16
2016–17 Buffalo Sabres NHL 1 0 0 0 0
2017–18 Rochester Americans AHL 73 12 10 22 29 3 0 2 2 0
2018–19 Rochester Americans AHL 38 4 9 13 4
2019–20 Rochester Americans AHL 58 12 18 30 26
2020–21 Nashville Predators NHL 1 0 1 1 2
2020–21 Chicago Wolves AHL 23 5 10 15 38
2021–22 Rochester Americans AHL 39 20 17 37 22 10 2 5 7 4
2022–23 Rochester Americans AHL 53 14 17 31 38 14 3 6 9 6
2023–24 SCL Tigers NL 51 13 24 37 16
NHL totals 2 0 1 1 2

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2012 United States IH18 7th 4 0 1 1 2
2013 United States WJC18 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 0 1 1 0
Junior totals 11 0 2 2 2

Awards and honors

Award Year
College
ECAC All-Tournament Team 2017

References

  1. ^ a b c Mortiz, Amy (October 30, 2017). "Sabres Prospects: Malone ready to roll, finally, in his first pro season". buffalonews.com. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  2. ^ "West Seneca native Malone signs with Sabres; Harvard star will make NHL debut tonight". The Buffalo News. April 8, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  3. ^ a b Harrington, Mike (October 3, 2017). "Sabres Notebook: Griffith cracks final roster at forward". buffalonews.com. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  4. ^ "Malone returns on one-year AHL contract". Rochester Americans. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  5. ^ "Predators sign forward Sean Malone to one-year, two-way contract". Nashville Predators. July 15, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  6. ^ "Malone returns to Sabres on a one-year contract". Buffalo Sabres. July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  7. ^ "SCL Tigers sign Sean Malone" (in German). SCL Tigers. August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.