Sabres Ink Pair For Rochester

10/30/09 - The Buffalo Sabres announced two signings for the Rochester Americans in a press conference today. Forward Jason Ward and goaltender Johan Backlund will help fill out the Americans roster this season.

"We are very pleased to have signed these two players," said Buffalo general manager Roger Gorbet. "We were looking to add a little more depth to our organization before the season, and we feel we did just that. You don't often get a chance to add players of this caliber so late in the off-season. They will both have important roles in Rochester this year. We are looking forward to seeing them in camp."

Jason Ward, 31, had a career year a season ago in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. In 70 games Ward posted 72 points with a career high 40 goals and 32 assists. Those 40 goals led the AsHL. He has appeared in 68 NsHL games registering 3 goals and 11 assists for 14 points.

Johan Backlund, 28, will be playing his first season in North America. The young netminder has spent his entire career in Sweden. Backlund appeared in 49 with Timra of the Swedish Elite League last year with a 2.56 goals against average and .907 save percentage.