The Buffalo Sabres have assigned forward prospect Alexander Nylander to Sweden's world junior hockey team.

The Swede scored five goals and added seven assists over seven games at the world juniors last year, tying the tournament lead in points. He put up a nine-point performance with Sweden in the 2016 tournament. Nylander has led his team in scoring at this tournament the past two years.

“This is a tremendous chance for Alex to play for his country at the upcoming tournament,” said Sabres general manager Jason Botterill. “The World Junior Championship is a prestigious and challenging tournament that we are so excited to be hosting here in Buffalo. This opportunity will provide another important step in Alex’s development.”

The 19-year-old has yet to play in a NHL game with Buffalo this season, but has two goals and four assists over 14 games with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League. Nylander, the younger brother of Toronto Maple Leafs forward William, appeared in four games with the Sabres last year, picking up a single assist.

Buffalo selected Nylander with the eighth overall pick of the 2016 NHL Draft.