Sabres open 2nd round, select T.J. Brennan

With the 31st pick, the Buffalo Sabres have selected defenseman T. J. Brennan.

Player Profile:

St. John’s • QMJHL
6'0", 204 lbs.
Defense
Shoots left
Born: April 3, 1989 in Willingboro, NJ
Final Ranking: 29 Mid-Term Ranking: 59
North American Skater

Central Scouting Report: A skilled defenseman… has a strong shot and gets it off often… has a very active stick and is patient on the point … is a strong skater with the ability to make good passes… needs to make better decisions when jumping into the rush.

Hockey Profile: Won the Raymond-Legace Trophy as the QMJHL’s Top Rookie Defenseman in 2007… ranked first among rookie defensemen with 41 points (16-25-41) in 68 games… was named Rookie-of-the-Month in February after positing 11 points (7-4-11) in 11 games… played for the Junior Elite Philadelphia Little Flyers under former NHLer Stephane Charbonneau in 2005-06, posting 32 points (9-23-32) in 42 games… didn’t start playing competitive hockey until the age of 10.

Personal Profile: Patterns his game after Toronto Maple Leafs’ defenseman Bryan McCabe – “he is very offensive and plays the body”… “fake shot on forehand, fake backhand and go back to forehand to shoot” is his favorite shootout move… admires his dad and says he has had the most influence on his career because he is “always there for support and has worked with me physically and mentally”… most memorable hockey game watched: 2000 Eastern Conference semifinal game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers – Keith Primeau’s overtime goal came at 92:01 of overtime ending the third-longest game in playoff history and the longest since 1936… favorite hockey game played: St. John’s against Lewiston in 2006-07 season – “we came back from 3-0 to win 4-3 in regulation”… if he could invite three people to dinner they would be: his dad, Calgary’s Dion Phaneuf and Tiger Woods – “I admire my dad the most, Dion is my favorite player and Tiger Woods is the best mentally prepared athlete in any sport”… favorites include: Philadelphia Flyers (NHL team), Dion Phaneuf (NHL player), Dave Matthews Band (group), Remember the Titans and Miracle (movies), SportsCenter and Friends (TV shows) and Adam Sandler (actor).

Here's a video report on him from YouTube: