Jake Richard signs entry-level contract with Buffalo Sabres

Despite telling UConn he’d return for his senior year earlier in the offseason, Jake Richard reversed course and signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres, the organization announced on Thursday. The reason behind his change of heart is unclear.

Richard departs as one of the most productive players in program history. In UConn’s Hockey East Era, he ranks fourth in career assists (56), fifth in career points (88) while being tied for first in single-season points per game (1.26 in 2024-25) and second in both single-season assists (28 in 2024-25) and points (43 in the same year). He also became the second Husky with four assists in a single contest in the Hockey East semifinal win over BU in 2025.

The Sabres selected Richard in the sixth round (170th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. He typically stood out during the team’s development camp each summer as well.

With Richard unexpectedly gone, UConn doesn’t have many options to replace him. The transfer portal is mostly picked over, so the Huskies will likely bring in a fifth freshman. One silver lining is that they originally had just four spots for five forwards, which would’ve bumped someone out. Now, they can add everyone — if they want.