Former Kootenay Ice goaltender Nathan Lieuwen is back with the Buffalo Sabres organization.
On Wednesday afternoon, Lieuwen, 23, signed the qualifying offer extended to him, ensuring he will remain with the Sabres organization for at least one more season.
According to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports in Montreal, the two-way deal is worth $605,000 at the NHL level.
Lieuwen's contract will see him make an estimated $60,500 at the American League (AHL) level.
The native of Abbotsford became a restricted free agent July 1 after his entry-level contract expired and he was provided a qualifying offer from the Sabres.
The 6-foot-5, 185-pound netminder played seven games for the Sabres during the 2013-14 season, going 1-4-0 with a 2.98 goals-against average (GAA) and .906 save percentage (SP).
The 2014-15 season saw Lieuwen spend his time with the Sabres' AHL affiliate in Rochester. In 16 games, Lieuwen went 4-9-0 with a 3.29 GAA and .883 SP. His playing time was limited as he battled concussion-related vision issues.
Lieuwen's road to the big league started in Cranbrook after the Kootenay Ice made him the 16th-overall selection at the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft.
In 178 career games with the Ice, Lieuwen registered a mark of 85-59-15 with a 2.77 GAA and .903 SP.
In 2011, he helped lead the Kootenay Ice to the Ed Chynoweth Cup, capturing the WHL Playoff MVP award with a record of 16-3 (2.24 GAA, .923 SP).