BUFFALO — Sabres prospect Samuel Meloche’s experience belies his age. Less than two months after turning 19, just two years into his major junior career, the goalie has played 101 regular-season games and 30 more in the playoffs.
Since the start of the 2024-25 season, he has played more than any netminder in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.
Remember Meloche’s name. The constant action he earned backstopping the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies to back-to-back conference semifinal appearances buoyed his development, helping him quietly establish himself as perhaps the Sabres’ best goalie prospect.
He had never played more than 30 games in a season before joining the QMJHL.
“It gives plenty of opportunity to get better and to understand more and more of the game and grow your game, too, and also to make adjustments,” Meloche said of his heavy workload. “For me, I’ve been really grateful to be able to play as much as I’ve been doing the last two years, and I think helped myself and my game to grow a lot more.”
His exploits also helped him land on Team Canada’s radar. He recently participated in the World Junior Summer Showcase, meaning he’s in the mix to receive a coveted roster spot in December for the annual tournament.
“I can compete with the best from my country,” Meloche told GNN Sports. “It’s always an honor to be part of that kind of group of guys. There’s a lot of first-rounders or future great guys playing in the NHL.”
If Meloche, a fourth-round pick in 2025, 116th overall, cracks the NHL someday, he could be a steal for the Sabres.
In the meantime, before returning to his new QMJHL team, the Saint John Sea Dogs, he will likely start one of the Sabres’ two Prospects Showcase games against the Boston Bruins at LECOM Harborcenter. After convening Friday for practice, Buffalo rookies play Sunday at 5 p.m. and Monday at noon.
The 6-foot-3, 197-pound Meloche tries to model his game after his idol, former Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price, meaning he displays composure.
“The composure thing, that really hits home with me,” said Kyle MacDonald, the Sea Dogs’ director of hockey operations and goalie coach. “I think he’s a guy that at this level, he gives you a chance to win every night, and he has so much experience to draw on.”
Meloche has showcased remarkable consistency in the QMJHL, posting nearly identical numbers each of his two campaigns.
He won 33 games last season, three more than his rookie year. He posted an .897 save percentage in 2025-26, three points lower than his first season. His goals-against average, meanwhile, dropped 15 points to 2.75 last year.
Naturally, Meloche believes his experience has helped him mature.
“I think maybe reads and how to play the game, how to approach the game,” he said of the areas he has improved. “A lot of mental stuff that you don’t necessarily see on the ice.”
Saint John, which traded a slew of draft picks, including a first-rounder, to Rouyn-Noranda on June 2 in exchange for Meloche, will likely lean heavily on their new acquisition.
“When you look at a goalie at that age that … has 101-regular season games and another 30 games of playoff experience in that short frame of time, I think that in itself is a huge kind of asset to gain as a team,” MacDonald said. “We have a lot of good, young, skilled players on our team, and I think having someone with Sam’s pedigree is going to be huge, even for our leadership group.”
Meloche is expected to play just one season in Saint John. He plans to attend Northeastern University in Boston beginning in the 2027-28 season.
He couldn’t pass up playing in the NCAA, a new option for major junior players to continue their development against men.
“It’s great for everyone, especially goaltenders, because as we know, it takes longer to develop,” Meloche said. “… It’s advantageous for everyone that you don’t have to rush to sign your contract and turn pro early. You can (have) a couple more years to develop and keep growing your game.”
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Rochester Americans coach Mike Leone said Friday goalie prospect Topias Leinonen suffered a lower-body injury during summer training and will “miss a little time.”