Zach Sanford
Sanford with the St. Louis Blues in 2019
Born (1994-11-09) November 9, 1994 (age 29)
Salem, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 203 lb (92 kg; 14 st 7 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Chicago Blackhawks
Washington Capitals
St. Louis Blues
Ottawa Senators
Winnipeg Jets
Nashville Predators
Arizona Coyotes
NHL Draft 61st overall, 2013
Washington Capitals
Playing career 2016–present

Zachary Michael Sanford (born November 9, 1994) is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 61st overall by the Washington Capitals at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Sanford won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019.

Playing career

Early career

Sanford was born in Salem, Massachusetts before moving to Manchester, New Hampshire and attending Pinkerton Academy.[1] During the 2011–12 season at Pinkerton, Sanford led the team to a Division 1 state title with 36 goals and 69 points.[2] After earning the honor of New Hampshire High School Player of the Year, Sanford joined the Islanders Hockey Club of the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL), recording 36 points in 37 games.[3]

While with the Islanders, Sanford committed to play collegiate hockey for the Boston College Eagles men's ice hockey in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in March 2013.[4] During his first year of NHL draft eligibility, Sanford started off ranking 83rd amongst North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau but soon raised his rank to 60th overall. He was shortly thereafter picked in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft in the second round, 61st overall by the Washington Capitals.[5] After being drafted 61st overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals, Sanford joined the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League.[6]

Collegiate

Sanford officially joined the Boston Eagles for the 2014–15 season where he scored 24 points in 38 games.[7] He recorded his first collegiate goal on November 14 against Michigan State in a 3–2 win.[8] He finished the season tied for fourth on the team with 17 assists.[7] In his sophomore season with the Eagles in 2015–16, Sanford continued his offensive output and recorded 39 points in 40 games as the team qualified for the Frozen Four.[3] On July 11, 2016, Sanford embarked on his professional career in signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals.[9]

Professional

Washington Capitals

After attending the Capitals training camp and having made an impact in the pre-season, Sanford made the Capitals opening night roster for the 2016–17 season.[10] He made his NHL debut on October 13, 2016, against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins and had one shot on goal. After being sent down to American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hershey Bears, he was recalled up to the NHL on February 10. He scored his first career NHL goal on February 11, 2017, against the Anaheim Ducks. Sanford added another goal and assist in 26 games with the Capitals before he was traded to the St. Louis Blues as part of a package for defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk on February 27, 2017.[11]

St. Louis Blues

Sanford scored his first goal as a Blue on March 16, 2017, against the San Jose Sharks in a 4–1 win.[12] At the time of the trade, Sanford was being discussed as the future second or third line center in St. Louis.[13] He finished the season with two goals and five points in thirteen games with the Blues after the trade.[14]

At the beginning of the 2017–18 season, Sanford suffered a dislocated shoulder in training camp and underwent surgery.[15] He was activated from the injured list on February 15, 2018 and re-assigned to the Blues AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage.[14]

The following season, Sanford had a good training camp, but missed some time due to the death of his father. As a result he started the 2018–19 season with San Antonio. He was recalled on October 16, 2018 after the Blues had been depleted by injuries.[16] During a Blues practice on December 10, 2018, Sanford fought teammate Robert Bortuzzo. The two got a few punches in on one another before being separated by coaches. At the time, St. Louis had lost eight of their last 11 games.[17] He was re-assigned to San Antonio on December 15, 2018, but recalled just two days later.[18][19] He was sent down again to San Antonio in December[20] and recalled in January.[21]

By January 2019, the Blues were in last place around the entire league resulting in a coaching and goaltender change.[22] The changes proved to be successful as Sanford ended the regular season playing in 60 regular-season games and accumulating 20 points and the team qualified for the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs.[23] As the Blues met the Boston Bruins in the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals, Sanford recorded his only goal of the postseason during Game 7 as the Blues earned their first Stanley Cup in their 52-year franchise history.[24] Despite being a Stanley Cup winner, he was still unknown at this time as sports broadcasters were calling him irrelevant.[25]

On July 9, 2019 Sanford signed a two-year extension with the Blues.[26] During the 2019–20 season, Sanford achieved a rare four-goal performance in a 6–5 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.[27] It was also Sanford's first career hat trick and the first time a Blues' player scored four goals in a game in over five years.[27] He also had a four points in a game on November 22, 2019[28] and a three-point game on February 26, 2020.[29]

During the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, Sanford scored two goals in a 5–4 win over the Anaheim Ducks on March 2, 2021.[30] He finished the season with 16 points in 52 games.[31] On August 4, 2021, Sanford signed a one-year contract with the Blues.[32]

Ottawa Senators and Winnipeg Jets

On September 25, 2021, Sanford was traded to the Ottawa Senators for Logan Brown and a conditional 4th round pick.[33] In 50 games with the Senators, he scored nine goals and seventeen points.[34]

With the Senators out of playoff contention, and while in the last season of his contract, Sanford was traded to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a 2022 fifth round round pick at the NHL trade deadline on March 21, 2022.[35] He played 30 games for Winnipeg, scoring four points.[36] The Jets would ultimately miss the post-season.[37]

Nashville Predators

As a free agent from the Jets, Sanford was signed to a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Nashville Predators on July 15, 2022.[38] On November 22, 2022, the Predators placed Sanford on waivers.[39] After clearing waivers, Sanford was assigned to the Predators AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, the next day.[40]

Arizona Coyotes

On July 14, 2023, Sanford signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Arizona Coyotes.[41] Sanford failed to make the Coyotes roster out of training camp and was placed on waivers.[42] He went unclaimed and was assigned to Arizona's AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, to start the 2023–24 season.[43] Sanford was recalled by Arizona on October 23 after injuries to Coyotes' forwards Jason Zucker and Michael Carcone.[44] Sanford made his season debut for the Coyotes on October 27 versus the Los Angeles Kings, registering an assist. He was returned to Tucson on November 8.[45] He was recalled again and played 11 games total with the Coyotes scoring two points (both assists). He was placed on waivers again on January 5.[46]

Chicago Blackhawks

Sanford was claimed by the Chicago Blackhawks off waivers from the Coyotes on January 6, 2024.[47]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2009–10 Pinkerton Academy USHS 23 14 11 25 48 — — — — —
2010–11 Pinkerton Academy USHS 21 15 16 31 39 — — — — —
2011–12 Pinkerton Academy USHS 21 36 33 69 40 — — — — —
2012–13 Islanders Hockey Club EJHL 37 12 24 36 22 7 4 4 8 8
2013–14 Waterloo Black Hawks USHL 52 17 18 35 60 12 5 7 12 8
2014–15 Boston College HE 38 7 17 24 30 — — — — —
2015–16 Boston College HE 41 13 26 39 44 — — — — —
2016–17 Washington Capitals NHL 26 2 1 3 6 — — — — —
2016–17 Hershey Bears AHL 25 11 5 16 14 — — — — —
2016–17 St. Louis Blues NHL 13 2 3 5 4 4 0 0 0 0
2016–17 Chicago Wolves AHL — — — — — 2 0 0 0 0
2017–18 San Antonio Rampage AHL 20 4 3 7 18 — — — — —
2018–19 San Antonio Rampage AHL 7 4 2 6 2 — — — — —
2018–19 St. Louis Blues NHL 60 8 12 20 21 8 1 3 4 0
2019–20 St. Louis Blues NHL 58 16 14 30 28 9 1 3 4 17
2020–21 St. Louis Blues NHL 52 10 6 16 25 4 0 0 0 0
2021–22 Ottawa Senators NHL 62 9 8 17 37 — — — — —
2021–22 Winnipeg Jets NHL 18 0 4 4 13 — — — — —
2022–23 Nashville Predators NHL 16 2 1 3 4 — — — — —
2022–23 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 45 12 16 28 51 16 3 4 7 10
2023–24 Tucson Roadrunners AHL 16 1 3 4 19 — — — — —
2023–24 Arizona Coyotes NHL 11 0 2 2 4 — — — — —
NHL totals 316 49 51 100 142 25 2 6 8 17

Awards and honors

Award Year
NHL
Stanley Cup champion 2019 [48]

References

  1. ^ "After Growing Up A Bruins Fan, Blues Forward Zach Sanford Ready To Face Them In Stanley Cup Final". boston.cbslocal.com. May 31, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  2. ^ Willis, David (May 31, 2019). "Ex-Pinkerton star Sanford to play for Blues in Cup Final Saturday". Eagle-Tribune. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Seningen, Scott (April 8, 2016). "Capitals Prospects: Zach Sanford". thehockeywriters.com. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  4. ^ Willis, David (March 8, 2013). "Sanford commits to Boston College". The Eagle-Tribune. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  5. ^ "Zach Sanford". hockeysfuture.com. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  6. ^ Gormley, Chuck (July 11, 2016). "Capitals think Zach Sanford 'could be ready' for NHL". nbcsports.com. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  7. ^ a b "ZACH SANFORD". bceagles.com. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  8. ^ "Men's Hockey vs Michigan State on 11/14/2014 - Box Score - Boston College Athletics". bceagles.com. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  9. ^ "Capitals sign Zach Sanford". Washington Capitals. July 11, 2016. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  10. ^ "Zach Sanford tried and failed to 'keep it cool' with Barry Trotz when he made the roster". russianmachineneverbreaks.com. October 12, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
  11. ^ Rutherford, Jeremy P.; Timmermann, Tom (February 27, 2017). "Blues trade Shattenkirk to Capitals". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  12. ^ "Tarasenko scores twice to lead Blues past Sharks 4-1". ESPN. Associated Press. March 17, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  13. ^ "The Forgotten Blue". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. September 12, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  14. ^ a b "Blues Activate Sanford From IR, Assign Him to San Antonio". Fox Sports. February 15, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  15. ^ "Blues' Sanford, Bouwmeester injured during training camp". CBC News. Associated Press. September 19, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  16. ^ Timmermann, Tom (October 16, 2018). "Blues promote Sanford, send Thorburn to AHL". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  17. ^ "Blues teammates Robert Bortuzzo and Zach Sanford fight in practice". ESPN. December 11, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  18. ^ "Blues Assign Zach Sanford to Rampage". Fox Sports. December 15, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  19. ^ "Blues Recall Sanford, Assign Kostin to Team Russia". Fox Sports. December 17, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  20. ^ "Blues Activate Fabbri from IR, Return Sanford to Rampage". Fox Sports. December 28, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  21. ^ "Blues Activate Gunnarsson From IR, Recall Sanford from San Antonio". Fox Sports. January 3, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  22. ^ McGran, Kevin (May 26, 2019). "Blues' Bozak, Gunnarsson ready to take on an old nemesis in Boston". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  23. ^ Korac, Louie (June 19, 2019). "Grading the 2018-19 Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues". ksdk.com. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  24. ^ Hass, Trevor (June 13, 2019). "Salem-born Zach Sanford scored a goal in Game 7 for the Blues". boston.com. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  25. ^ "Can You Pass This Quiz on the 2019 NHL Season?". YouTube.
  26. ^ "Sanford Signs Two-Year $3 Million Deal with Blues to Avoid Arbitration". Fox Sports. July 9, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  27. ^ a b "Sanford scores four goals, but Blues fall 6-5 in overtime to Golden Knights". Fox Sports. February 14, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  28. ^ "Sanford tallies four points, Sundqvist scores twice as Blues shut out Flames 5-0". Fox Sports. November 22, 2019. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  29. ^ "Sanford has 3-point game, St. Louis beats Chicago 6-5". ESPN. Associated Press. February 26, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  30. ^ "Sanford scores 2 goals, Blues hold off Ducks 5-4". Fox Sports. Associated Press. March 2, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  31. ^ "Senators trade Logan Brown, conditional pick to Blues for Zach Sanford". Sportsnet. September 25, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  32. ^ "Blues, forward Zach Sanford agree to one-year, $2M contract". Sportsnet. August 4, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  33. ^ "Senators acquire forward Zach Sanford from St. Louis". NHL.com. September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  34. ^ "Jets acquire Sanford from Sens for fifth-rounder". TSN. March 21, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  35. ^ "Jets acquire forward Zach Sanford from Senators". Winnipeg Jets. March 21, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  36. ^ "Predators sign F Zach Sanford to one-year, $850K contract". Sportsnet. July 15, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  37. ^ Campbell, Tim (April 21, 2022). "Jets eliminated from playoff contention due to penalty kill, defense". NHL.com. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  38. ^ "Predators sign Zach Sanford to one-year deal". Nashville Predators. July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  39. ^ Kimmel, Ann (November 22, 2022). "Nashville Predators Place Zach Sanford on Waivers". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  40. ^ "Predators Assign Zach Sanford to Milwaukee (AHL)". Nashville Predators. November 23, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  41. ^ "Coyotes Sign Zach Sanford to One-Year Contract". Arizona Coyotes. July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  42. ^ "Coyotes' Zach Sanford: Waived for AHL demotion". CBS Sports. October 8, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  43. ^ "Tucson Roadrunners Road Ahead: Dropping the Puck for Real Now". Tucson Roadrunners. October 10, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  44. ^ "Coyotes' Zach Sanford: Recalled from AHL". CBS Sports. October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  45. ^ "Coyotes' Zach Sanford: Heads back to minors". CBS Sports. November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  46. ^ "Coyotes' Zach Sanford: On waivers". CBS Sports. January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  47. ^ "Blackhawks claim forward Zach Sanford off waivers from Arizona". NBC Chicago. January 6, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  48. ^ "Blues win cup for first time, defeat Bruins in Game 7 of final". National Hockey League. June 12, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2019.

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