MSU Jr. D, Maxim Štrbák (8) is a part of the starting line in Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, MI on Jan. 23, 2026.
Michigan State hockey’s junior defenseman Maxim Štrbák signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres, announced by the Sabres today. The contract begins with the 2026-27 season.
Štrbák will join the Sabres’ AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. He joins former Spartan teammates Jagger Joshua and Red Savage.
The Slovak player finished the season with 38 blocks and 18 points in his junior year, tallying three goals and 15 assists. He appeared in 102 games and recorded 46 points over three seasons in a Spartan uniform. Štrbák was part of MSU hockey’s three consecutive Big Ten regular-season titles and back-to-back conference tournament championships.
“What I love about Max (Štrbák) is he defends super hard,” MSU coach Adam Nightingale said about Štrbák in January. “When you watch him, you know how heavy he is to play against, and how much that's helped our team since he's been here… He's another one that's a leader. He's an everyday guy.”
Štrbák was drafted by the Sabres 45th overall in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft and is forgoing his fourth year of college eligibility by signing with Buffalo. He leaves behind fellow junior defenseman Patrick Geary. Štrbák and Geary formed a defensive pairing over the past three seasons. Geary was also drafted by the Sabres, 172nd overall in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Štrbák had until Aug. 15, 2027, to sign with the Sabres before becoming a free agent. His departure follows his most productive season, and a season in which he’s seen himself mature.
“I think I'm just making more mature plays,” Štrbák said in January regarding his development this season. “I'm more comfortable with the puck and without the puck. I think I'm finding guys better when it comes to breakouts or just choosing the right play. I think that's where I did want to take a step, and I've been doing a good job with it.”
Štrbák is the third Spartan to sign a professional contract this week. He follows freshman forward Porter Martone and junior goaltender Trey Augustine.
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