Tyler Myers Tyler Myers ( born February 1 , 1990 ) is an American - born Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League ( NHL ) . He was drafted by the Sabres in the first round , 12th overall , in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft . At the end of the 2009 – 10 NHL season , Myers won the Calder Trophy as the NHL ' s best rookie . Standing at 6 - feet - 8 - inches , he is nicknamed " The Big Easy " . Born in Texas , Myers grew up in Calgary , Alberta . He has opted to play internationally for Canada . Representing Canada twice as a junior and once on the men ' s team , he has won gold medals at the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships and 2009 World Junior Championships . Playing career . Junior . In the 2005 Western Hockey League ( WHL ) Bantam Draft , Myers was the Kelowna Rockets first round selection , 19th overall . Prior to playing in the WHL , Myers continued minor hockey at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame with the Hounds , a AAA midget team . Myers began his major junior career with the Rockets in 2005 – 06 . Following his NHL draft year in 2007 – 08 , Myers was ranked fourth among North America n draft - eligible skaters by the NHL ' s Central Scouting Services . He was selected 12th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft , after they traded the LA Kings a third - round pick to move up from the 13th spot . The following season , Myers helped the Rockets to a 2009 Ed Chynoweth Cup championship following a junior career - high 42 - point regular season . Scoring 20 points during the Rockets playoff run , Myers was instrumental the franchise ' s third WHL title and was selected as the WHL Playoff MVP . Following Myers ' WHL championship win with the Rockets , he was signed to a two - year , entry - level contract with the Buffalo Sabres on May 11 , 2009 . Professional . Myers started the 2009 – 10 NHL season with the Buffalo Sabres . He recorded his first NHL point on October 8 , 2009 , an assist , against the Phoenix Coyotes . Eight days later , Myers scored his first NHL goal against Dwayne Roloson of the New York Islanders . It was also his first multi - point game , as he recorded an assist as well . On October 24 , Myers was used in the sixth round of a shootout against the Tampa Bay Lightning and scored the game winner . After a strong first nine games with the Sabres , the club decided to keep him in Buffalo rather than return him to the Rockets , initiating the first year of his contract . Myers quickly established himself as the top defenceman on the Sabres roster , leading the club in average ice time per game in his rookie season . On December 16 , 2009 , he registered 28 : 32 of ice time in a regulation loss to the Ottawa Senators despite being one of a much - publicized group of Sabres players struck with food poisoning the night before . The following month , Myers recorded his first multi - goal game on January 8 , 2010 . He scored twice on the powerplay , including the game - winner , as the Sabres beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3 – 2 . He also assisted Tim Kennedy on the Sabres ' first goal . Scoring 10 points and leading all rookies in average ice time ( 24 minutes and 42 seconds per game ) for contests in January 2010 , Myers was named the NHL Rookie of the Month . He completed his first NHL season leading league rookie defencemen , as well as Sabres defencemen , playing every game that season with 11 goals and 37 assists adding up to a career high of 48 points and getting 1 point in the playoffs from 1 goal . In the off - season , Myers was awarded with the Calder Memorial Trophy on June 23 , 2010 at the NHL Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas , beating out forward Matt Duchene of the Colorado Avalanche and goaltender Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings . At the beginning of the 2010 - 2011 season Myers had a rough start but got right back on it . On November 15 , 2010 Myers scored his 5th goal of the season in a 4 - 3 overtime win against the Vancouver Canucks . Myers got another overtime goal in a 3 - 2 win against the Florida Panthers on February 10 , 2011 . Myers finished the season missing only 2 games with 10 goals and 27 assists adding up to 37 points and getting 6 points in the playoffs from 1 goal and 5 assists . On September 15 , 2011 the Sabres signed Myers to a 7 year , $ 38 . 5 million dollar contract . International play . Despite being born in Katy , Texas , Myers plays internationally for Team Canada , as he grew up in Calgary , Alberta , and holds dual citizenship . Making the decision in his youth , he has credited moving to Canada as a large influence in his development as a hockey player , stating he would " be playing a different sport had I stayed in Texas . " Myers was a part of the national team that earned gold at the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships in Kazan , Russia . He was later named to the Canadian under - 20 team for the 2009 World Junior Championships in Ottawa , along with Kelowna Rockets teammate Jamie Benn , and helped Canada to a record - tying fifth straight gold medal . On April 29 , 2010 , Myers was named to the Team Canada roster for the 2010 IIHF World Championship . He was part of a young squad that finished without a medal .