It’s not often in my professional sport that the #1 overall draft pick would not play for the team that drafted them right away, or at least make the jump up to minor professional ranks, but according to reports, Michigan Defenseman Owen Power, the #1 overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres, has apparently decided to return to Ann Arbor for his sophomore season rather than make the leap to the NHL.

Power would become the first #1 overall pick not to play in his team’s season opener that year since 2007-08. Power’s decision does not come as a surprise after he said he was leaning toward returning to Michigan in the weeks leading up to the draft.

Breaking: Sabres No. 1 draft pick Owen Power is returning to the University of Michigan for his sophomore season, a source told The Buffalo News. @umichhockey https://t.co/6elVLOuJWG

— Lance Lysowski (@LLysowski) August 19, 2021

Click here to read more about Owen Power’s decision to return to school over playing in the NHL right away. Did he make the choice?