"English is definitely the second language for Joel Armia, but the Finnish right winger had no problem saying what he likes to do.

"Score goals," Armia said Friday night after the Buffalo Sabres made him their first-round selection in the 2011 NHL entry draft.

Armia, a 6-foot-3, 191-pounder who just turned 18 last month, became the first European selected by the Sabres since they picked defenseman Dennis Persson and goaltender Jhonas Enroth in 2006. Based on Armia's ranking, the Sabres had little choice.

NHL Central Scouting selected Armia as the fourth-ranked European skater in its final poll. He was second in the midterm rankings, a high number for a Buffalo team that picked 16th overall.

"He's big and tall but surprisingly mobile for a player of his size," said Goran Stubb, the NHL's director of European scouting. "He has a heavy wrist shot that he gets off quickly and is always looking for the empty spots on the ice. He's a sniper with a good selection of shots. You might have to look for him during some shifts, but then, suddenly, he scores the winner."

Folks in Buffalo who paid attention to the world junior championships might remember Armia. He played for Finland, recording one assist as the second-youngest player on the team.

"It was nice," Armia said. "I liked the place. I think I played good.""