BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Sabres selected defenseman Daxon Rudolph with the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Rudolph, a native of Lacombe, Alberta, Canada, is 18 years old and just played in his second and final season with the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders. He tallied 28 goals and 50 assists for 78 points in 68 games, which was third among WHL defensemen in the regular season. He led all Raiders and WHL defensemen with nine goals and 18 assists for 27 points in the playoffs. He also won a gold medal at the 2025 Under-18 World Championship and a bronze at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
WATCH: 7 Sports Director Matt Bove gives his take on the selection below
The Sabres said Rudolph, a right-shot, 6-foot-2 defender, was the fifth-ranked North American skater in NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings. He was the first defenseman taken in this year’s draft.
Rudolph will begin his college career at the University of Denver in the fall.
