BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Center Marek Zagrapan, the Buffalo Sabres' first-round draft pick last year, was among four players signed by the team.

The Sabres also announced Tuesday that former defenseman James Patrick was hired as an assistant coach. For Patrick, a 21-year NHL veteran, this is his second stint as a Sabres assistant after he left the team before last season to play in Germany.

Patrick ended his NHL career after playing six years with the Sabres. He fills the spot on Lindy Ruff's staff vacated by Scott Arniel, who in July was hired as head coach of the American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose.

Zagrapan, selected 13th overall, signed a three-year deal worth about $2.3 million on Sunday, and has joined the Sabres for the start of their rookie training camp. He had 35 goals and 52 assists for 87 points in 59 games last season with Chicoutimi of the Quebec Major Junior League.

Zagrapan is expected to open this season with Rochester, Buffalo's AHL affiliate.

The Sabres also re-signed three minor-league forwards, Jiri Novotny, Michael Ryan and Chris Thorburn. Ryan and Thorburn signed $450,000 contracts for this season.

Novotny, drafted 22nd overall in 2001 by Buffalo, made his NHL debut last season, scoring two goals and an assist in 14 regular-season games, and had no points in four playoff games. He also led Rochester with 54 points (17 goals, 37 assists) last year.

Thorburn, Buffalo's second-round 2001 draft pick, had an assist in two games last season, and added 23 goals and 27 assists with Rochester. Ryan has spent the past three seasons in Rochester after being acquired by Buffalo in a trade with Dallas in March 2003.

The Sabres, who open training camp Friday, also announced that assistant coach Brian McCutcheon has been promoted to associate head coach; scout Kevin Devine has been promoted to director of amateur scouting; and scout Scott Schranz has been promoted to director of amateur scouting operations.