Sean Malone (ice hockey) explained

Position:Center
Shoots:Left
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lb:190
Team:SCL Tigers
League:NL
Former Teams:Buffalo Sabres
Nashville Predators
Birth Date:30 April 1995
Birth Place:Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Draft:159th overall
Draft Year:2013
Draft Team:Buffalo Sabres
Career Start:2017

Sean Malone (born April 30, 1995) is an American professional ice hockey forward, currently under contract with the SCL Tigers in the National League (NL). He formerly played with the Buffalo Sabres and Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career

After a successful career at Nichols School, where he was All-State in three sports, Malone was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the sixth round, 159th overall, in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He played college hockey for Harvard University of ECAC Hockey. During his junior and senior years at Harvard, he underwent hip surgery and rehabilitation for his injury.[1] Despite his setbacks, he was signed to a professional contract by the Sabres on April 8, 2017, and made his NHL debut that night in a game against the Florida Panthers as an emergency replacement for Marcus Foligno.[2] He had one shot on net and played over 12 minutes in the 3–0 loss to the Panthers.[1]

After participating in the Buffalo Sabres development camp in July 2017, Malone was unable to participate at the Sabres' rookie camp, the Prospects Challenge tournament, and training camp due to another injury.[1] [3] He was then assigned to the Sabres AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, for the 2017–18 season.[3]

On June 25, 2019, Malone opted to remain within the Sabres organization, signing a one-year AHL contract to continue with the Rochester Americans.[4] In the 2019–20 season, Malone in his third season with the Americans appeared in 58 games, placing second on the team in scoring by tallying 30 points, before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a free agent, Malone was able to secure an NHL contract by agreeing to a one-year, two-way contract with the Nashville Predators on July 15, 2020.[5] Malone opened the pandemic delayed season with the Predators, registering an assist in his lone game with the club. He later re-assigned to AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, for the remainder of the year.

As a free agent from the Predators, Malone opted to return to his original club, the Buffalo Sabres, agreeing to a one-year, two-way contract on July 28, 2021.[6]

On August 2, 2023, having left the Sabres at the conclusion of his contract, Malone opted to pursue a European career by signing a two-year contract with Swiss club, SCL Tigers of the NL.[7]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Team League GP GPG A Pts PIM
2010–11Nichols SchoolUSHS143912433360
2011–12Nichols SchoolUSHS4751541052210110
2012–13U.S. National Development TeamUSHL15581317
2013–14Harvard UniversityECAC316142016
2014–15Harvard UniversityECAC218101812
2015–16Harvard UniversityECAC27109198
2016–17Harvard UniversityECAC3618244216
2016–17Buffalo SabresNHL10000
2017–18Rochester AmericansAHL731210222930220
2018–19Rochester AmericansAHL3849134
2019–20Rochester AmericansAHL5812183026
2020–21Nashville PredatorsNHL10112
2020–21Chicago WolvesAHL235101538
2021–22Rochester AmericansAHL3920173722102574
2022–23Rochester AmericansAHL5314173138143696
2023–24SCL TigersNL5113243716
NHL totals20112

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2012United StatesIH187th40112
2013United StatesWJC1870110
Junior totals 110222

Awards and honors

AwardYear
College
ECAC All-Tournament Team2017

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mortiz. Amy. Sabres Prospects: Malone ready to roll, finally, in his first pro season. buffalonews.com. February 9, 2018. October 30, 2017.
  2. News: West Seneca native Malone signs with Sabres; Harvard star will make NHL debut tonight . . April 8, 2017 . April 8, 2017.
  3. Web site: Harrington. Mike. Sabres Notebook: Griffith cracks final roster at forward. buffalonews.com. February 20, 2018. October 3, 2017.
  4. Web site: Malone returns on one-year AHL contract . . June 25, 2019 . June 25, 2019.
  5. Web site: Predators sign forward Sean Malone to one-year, two-way contract . . July 15, 2020 . July 15, 2020.
  6. Web site: Malone returns to Sabres on a one-year contract . . July 28, 2021 . July 28, 2021.
  7. Web site: SCL Tigers sign Sean Malone . . August 2, 2023 . August 2, 2023 . German .