August 10, 2025

Get ready for a heartwarming NHL reunion! The Buffalo Sabres have just drafted not one, not two, but THREE childhood friends from Minnesota’s pee-wee hockey days. Meet Adam Kleber, Brodie Ziemer, and Ashton Schultz—each with a story as colorful as their hockey dreams. It all started more than ten years ago in small towns called Chaska and Victoria, Minnesota. These boys laced up their skates together for the Machine Orange summer team, then became a close-knit trio on a pee-wee squad. Imagine their joy now, knowing they’ll skate for the same NHL team! First up was Adam Kleber, a giant 6-foot-6 defenseman who caught eyes at the 2024 NHL Draft. The Sabres picked him 42nd overall in the second round. Not far behind, Brodie Ziemer, the gritty forward with a sharp scoring touch, was grabbed in the third round at 71st overall. The trio’s final puzzle piece, Ashton Schultz—a slick-skating forward with great puck skills—joined the Sabres in 2025 as a sixth-round pick, 167th overall. Their careers may have taken different roads, but their passion for hockey remained their glue. Kleber went from local youth leagues to the Lincoln Stars in the USHL at just 16. Then he dazzled at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and even won gold with the U.S. team at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. Ziemer made a bold move in ninth grade by joining Shattuck-St. Mary’s and rose through the USA Hockey National Development ranks. His freshman year at the University of Minnesota wasn't just good—it was sparkling with 23 points in 38 games, plus a stellar World Juniors performance. Schultz chose the USHL route right after high school, shining with 39 points for the Chicago Steel. He’s set to play in the USHL again before heading to the University of North Dakota in 2026–27. Now reunited, these Sabres prospects light up the ice with unique powers. Kleber is all about size and defense, Ziemer fires goals with grit, and Schultz dazzles with skill and vision. Together, they could be a colorful mix that Buffalo’s future NHL runs need. As the NHL world watches, this reunion reminds us: sometimes childhood friendships and hockey dreams blend perfectly on ice!

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Tags: Buffalo sabres, Nhl draft, Adam kleber, Brodie ziemer, Ashton schultz, Minnesota hockey,