Marc-Andre Gragnani earned two impressive titles from the Rochester Americans organization and its fans last year; he was named the 2008 Rookie of the Year and Most Popular Player. Those awards show that Gragnani, a former defenseman turned forward, has great assets both on and off the ice that were greatly appreciated by all, including the Buffalo Sabres, last season.

"Gragnani's heart may be his most appealing asset. He gives it 100 percent every shift and never takes a night off, and is willing to sacrifice his body for the good of the team. He is extremely smart both defensively and with the puck. His passing skills are good, and he knows when to pinch and when to retreat." (Hockeysfuture.com)

Gragnani, Buffalo's third round pick (87th overall) in the 2005 Entry Draft signed with the Sabres on June 1, 2007. He made his NHL debut for Buffalo during the 2007-08 season in a game against the New York Rangers on February 23rd. He started off the season by recording two assists in his professional debut with Rochester against Syracuse on October 5th. Gragnani also had a ten-game point streak, five goals and nine assists, from February 9th to March 2nd and a five game point streak, one goal and four assists, from October 28th to November 9th.

Before scoring a professional contract with the Sabres, Gragnani played four seasons for the Prince Edward Island Rockets of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 2006-2007, he ranked fourth on his PEI team with 68 points and finished third on the team with 46 assists. In his four-year QMJHL career he recorded 193 points, with 50 goals and 143 assists.



Check back Monday, August 25th for the next prospect profile, Dylan Hunter...