Published: May 07, 2008 12:06 am            

SABRES: Team signs Boston College's Gerbe to deal

Nathan Gerbe has spent most of his young hockey career attempting to show he’s not too small make it to the NHL. Now the 5-foot-5 forward has the sizable contract to prove it.

Gerbe, on Tuesday, signed a three-year deal potentially worth $2.55 million — the maximum allowed for players selected in the 2005 NHL draft — with the Buffalo Sabres, electing to forgo his senior season at Boston College.

Buffalo’s fifth-round pick, Gerbe is cashing in after enjoying a stellar season in which he led the nation with 68 points (35 goals and 33 assists) in 43 games for the national champion Eagles. Gerbe played a key role in their title run, tying the NCAA tournament record by scoring seven goals, including two in a 4-1 win over Notre Dame in the championship game.

“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. “This chance for me is another dream come true, so it’s right up there with the best moments of all time for me.”

As for his lack of size, Gerbe said: “I’ve heard it my whole life. ... It’s something I don’t look at as a negative. I’m definitely looking forward to the opportunity and the challenge ahead of me.”

Gerbe, from Oxford Mich., was a finalist for this year’s Hobey Baker Award, presented to college hockey’s best player. He also showed he’s capable of competing with NHL-caliber players during a brief stint last month with the U.S. National team as ist prepared for the World Hockey Championships in Canada.

Gerbe was unafraid of going to the net, banging in a rebound from in front for a goal, and adding an assist in an exhibition game against Sweden.

“You have to go to the front of the net or you won’t make it anywhere,” Gerbe said.

His goal is to make the Sabres roster out of training camp this fall, but he’s not against developing his game at the American Hockey League level if necessary.

General manager Darcy Regier has been impressed by Gerbe’s progression since the Sabres selected him following his final year with the U.S. National Under-18 team.

“Nathan never moved off that track, and only got stronger,” Regier said. “You don’t get to accomplish the things he’s already accomplished if you don’t have that type of competitiveness and you don’t have that skill level.”

The numbers Gerbe has produced made it easy for the Sabres to overlook his diminutive stature in an NHL where smaller players — such as Chicago rookie Patrick Kane, Philadelphia’s Daniel Briere and longtime Tampa Bay star Martin St. Louis — have shown they can compete.

“It’s about figuring out what your gifts are, what your strength is and to play to them,” Regier said. “He’s done a very good job of that. And I think he’ll continue, and he’ll be a terrific pro.”

        

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