Background
Sauer was born in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, but grew up in Sartell, Minnesota.
Sauer was born in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, but grew up in Sartell, Minnesota.
He is the younger brother of Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Kurt Sauer, and of former Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings (NFL) linebacker Craig Sauer. He was drafted in the 2nd round, 40th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2005 National Hockey League Entry Draft. The Rangers acquired this draft pick from the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of the Brian Leetch trade a year prior.
Sauer signed his first professional contract with the Rangers on August 8, 2006.
He played for the Rangers" minor league affiliate in Hartford of the AHL for most of the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons, and was promoted to the Rangers on March 23, 2009. He made his National Hockey League debut with the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 24, 2009, against the Minnesota Wild.
After spending all of 2009 with Hartford, Sauer began the 2010 season in the National Hockey League with the Rangers, and was in the Rangers" opening night lineup. He scored his first National Hockey League goal on December 9, 2010, against Brian Elliott of the Ottawa Senators.
On July 8, 2011, Sauer, a restricted free agent, re-signed with the Rangers to a two-year, $2.5 million deal.
Sauer suffered a concussion as a result of a hit by Dion Phaneuf on December 5, 2011 and has not played since. After the 2012-2013 season, Sauer"s contract expired and he was not tendered with a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.