BUFFALO, N.Y., July 14 (UPI) -- The Buffalo Sabres Monday made their first free agent acquisition under new ownership, signing defenseman Joel Bouchard to a one-year contract.
Terms of the deal were not released.
The 6-1, 200-pound Bouchard split last season with the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins, racking up five goals and eight assists in 34 games. He missed most of the campaign with a broken jaw.
In his 277 game career, Bouchard has 15 goals, 30 assists and 217 penalty minutes.
The NHL ran the Sabres last season after former owner John Rigas and his two sons were indicted on fraud charges following the collapse of Adelphia Communications, the team's major creditor. In April, Rochester billionaire Tom Golisano purchased the team and retained Regier as well as coach Lindy Ruff.
