BUFFALO, N.Y. — He's met the media. He's practiced with the team. Now it's time to show Sabres fans how he plays in the big leagues. 

Casey Mittelstadt makes his NHL debut Thurday as the Sabres play the Detroit Red Wings, two teams withouth playoff tickets but with eyes on the draft prize. 

During his first team practice Wednesday, Mttelstadt was on a second line with Sam Reinhart and Evan Rodriques. His linemates are confident the 19-year-old is ready to make an impression. He's set to play on the same line tonight. 

"I know what he's going through, it's an exciting time for him," says Sam Reinhart, himself a closely watched player when he joined the team as a teenager. "For me to be a part of it, hopefully we can make some plays."

Mittelstadt is welcoming his entire family to KeyBank Thursday for his first NHL game along with some of his old coaches. If the 19-year-old is nervous, he's not showing it.

"I should be fine. Once the game gets closer I'll get more antsy, but for the most part. I feel fine, I feel like belong. I'm not nervous. I don't know what my expectations are, I just want to go out and play, and we'll see how it goes."

Mittelstadt was picked at No. 8 but tallied 30 points as a freshman with the Minnesota Golden Gophers and helped lead Team USA to a bronze at the World Juniors. He earned tournament MVP honors after potting four goals in seven games, all of which were played in Buffalo.

 

Bills Mafia 🇺🇸❄️

A post shared by Casey Mittelstadt (@cmittelstadt) on