Nathan Gerbe heard he was too small to succeed with the United States' under-18 team. He did. Gerbe was told there was no way a Division I college would want him. Boston College, one of the NCAA's elite, gave him a scholarship. Yeah, but there's no way he can make the Eagles soar, Gerbe heard. Three trips to the championship game, with a victory this year, answered that.

Now Gerbe is hearing the professional ranks are no place for a 5-foot-5 forward. Gerbe will soon try to prove those people wrong, too. The 20-year-old signed with the Sabres on May 6.

"I'm ready for any step," Gerbe said. "I've played against my size my whole life, and I know how to play against it now. It's something I don't look at as a negative thing. It's definitely a positive, and I'm definitely looking forward to the opportunity and the challenge ahead of me."

Gerbe, a fifth-round pick in 2005, was the nation's most electric college player this season as a junior. He led the country with 68 points in 43 games, including five goals and three assists in the two Frozen Four contests. He was runner-up in the voting for the Hobey Baker Award, which was handed out before the national championship.

Gerbe spent a week in training camp with the U.S. world championship team, and it convinced the 165-pounder he was ready to move on. He likely will start in the American Hockey League, but he's proved people wrong before.

"This has been a spectacular feeling and opportunity for me," Gerbe said. "If you can show you can play in the NHL, you'll get your chance and opportunity."

SEASON HIGHLIGHT
Buffalo native Patrick Kaleta, a rookie who crunched everything that moved, scored his first NHL goal in front of the home fans Feb. 10. His joyous celebration was soon overshadowed as a skate sliced the throat of Florida's Richard Zednik, lacerating his carotid artery. Quick medical help saved his life.

TURNING POINT
The Sabres opened their Christmas presents and got ... a 10-game winless streak. The 0-5-5 stretch immediately following the holiday break was killer.

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