Maxim Štrbák has signed with the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced. The contract begins with the 2026-27 season.
Štrbák, 20, was selected in the second round (45th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft and played 102 games in three seasons at Michigan State.
Štrbák guided the Spartans to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and two B1G championships. He recorded 46 points (8g, 38a) with a plus-33 rating during his collegiate career.
The Slovakia native had the second most points by a Michigan State defenseman this season with 18 in 37 games. Strbak was tied for 10th in the B1G with a plus-20 rating and had 38 blocked shots.
Štrbák represented Slovakia at four IIHF World Junior Championships and had 16 points (2g, 14a) in 19 games. He finished tied for the most assists by a defenseman during the 2024 tournament (6).