RIT's Matt Garbowsky staying in Rochester

Matt Garbowsky is leaving Rochester Institute of Technology, but he's not leaving Rochester.

The RIT senior has agreed to terms on a one-year American Hockey League contract with the Buffalo Sabres organization for the 2015-16 season. He'll sign an amateur tryout contract with the Rochester Americans on Wednesday so he can join them now for the final nine games.

Garbowsky, who was never drafted and was a free agent, considered one other offer but decided the Amerks were the best fit.

"It just kind of made sense," said Garbowsky, a 24-year-old native of St. George, Ontario. "Being in Rochester for four years, there's that sense of familiarity."

There also is a belief it's a good fit in terms of hockey. Garbowsky was one of the top scorers in NCAA hockey this season with 26 goals, 28 assists and 54 points, an RIT single-season record.

But his role in pro hockey will be based much more on his ability to play defense, to win faceoffs, to kill penalties and to be responsible in all three zones.

Garbowsky is a Top-10 finalist for college hockey's most prestigious honor, the Hobey Baker Award. He centered the Tigers' top line with wingers Brad McGowan and Josh Mitchell, took nearly every critical faceoff and was almost always matched up against the opponent's top line.

RIT won the Atlantic Hockey Conference playoff to earn a berth in the NCAA tournament, then upended top-seeded Minnesota State 2-1 on Saturday in the Midwest Regional semifinals before losing 4-0 to Nebraska-Omaha in Sunday's title game.

"I think I'll be stinging from that one for a while," Garbowsky said, "but this (contract) is sort of a consolation prize."

While signing an NHL contract was the dream, Garbowsky knew that an AHL deal might be the ceiling this spring. He's 24, which is nearing the top end of the entry level contract scale, and Atlantic Hockey isn't known for producing NHL talent.

Former RIT defenseman Chris Tanev, who has become a stalwart on the Vancouver Canucks blue line, is very much the exception.

"I thought it was a possibility but I wasn't counting on it," Garbowsky said.

If he proves he has NHL potential, he can be signed to a big-league deal at a later date. That worked for Cory Conacher following his career at Canisius College in 2011. He signed a minor-league contract, was the AHL rookie of the year in 2011-12 and was skating in the NHL the next season.

Garbowsky said he spoke with his parents, Kelley and Mike, a few times over the past two days during the decision process.

"They're both happy and said they're proud of me," he said.

They probably like the idea of being able to still take just a two-hour drive to watch their son play. Not that distance limited them this season. Garbowsky is pretty sure his parents didn't miss a game this season, including a pair against Air Force in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

While Garbowsky was RIT's prime offensive weapon, coach Wayne Wilson believes he is just as good defensively. Or better.

And that quite likely will be how Garbowsky becomes an effective pro: by playing a 200-foot game and thriving in a defense-first role.

He has a good skill-set, but it's not elite. However, his thinking, his on-ice awareness and his attention to every little detail can be considered elite elements in his overall game.

And while earning an NHL deal would be the ultimate prize next season, it's not his focus.

"My No. 1 goal," he said, "is just to make an impact with the Americans."

KEVINO@DemocratandChronicle.com

Twitter.com/@kevinoDandC

Jordan Ruby to ECHL

RIT senior goalie Jordan Ruby signed a tryout contract with the ECHL's Toledo Walleye.

Ruby, 24, sparkled during the Tigers' playoff run and was a major component in their Atlantic Hockey championship and upset of top-seeded Minnesota State in the NCAA Midwest Region semifinals.

In six playoff games, Ruby went 5-1 with a 1.67 goals-against average and .941 save percentage. For the season, he was 11-8-4/2.10/.924.