Zach Sanford

Sanford was born in Salem, Massachusetts before moving to Manchester, New Hampshire and attending Pinkerton Academy.{{cite web |title=After Growing Up A Bruins Fan, Blues Forward Zach Sanford Ready To Face Them In Stanley Cup Final |url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/05/31/zach-sanford-st-louis-blues-bruins-fan-stanley-cup-final-nhl/ |website=boston.cbslocal.com |access-date=January 26, 2020 |date=May 31, 2019}} During the 2011–12 season at Pinkerton, Sanford led the team to a Division 1 state title with 36 goals and 69 points.{{cite news |last1=Willis |first1=David |title=Ex-Pinkerton star Sanford to play for Blues in Cup Final Saturday |url=https://www.eagletribune.com/sports/local_sports/ex-pinkerton-star-sanford-to-play-for-blues-in-cup/article_04110f99-f864-5fd0-a8c4-fd6bec354da1.html |access-date=January 26, 2020 |publisher=Eagle-Tribune |date=May 31, 2019}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Seningen |first1=Scott |title=Capitals Prospects: Zach Sanford |url=https://thehockeywriters.com/capitals-prospects-zach-sanford/ |website=thehockeywriters.com |access-date=July 20, 2020 |date=April 8, 2016}}

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.{{cite news |last1=Willis |first1=David |title=Sanford commits to Boston College |url=https://www.eagletribune.com/sports/sanford-commits-to-boston-college/article_40dace72-fce6-5efe-af78-48a088709d80.html |access-date=July 20, 2020 |publisher=The Eagle-Tribune |date=March 8, 2013}} 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.{{cite web |title=Zach Sanford |url=https://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/zach-sanford/ |website=hockeysfuture.com |access-date=July 20, 2020}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Gormley |first1=Chuck |title=Capitals think Zach Sanford 'could be ready' for NHL |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/washington-capitals/capitals-think-zach-sanford-could-be-ready-nhl |website=nbcsports.com |access-date=January 26, 2020 |date=July 11, 2016}}

Sanford officially joined the Boston Eagles for the 2014–15 season where he scored 24 points in 38 games.{{cite web |title=ZACH SANFORD |url=https://bceagles.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/zach-sanford/151 |website=bceagles.com |access-date=July 20, 2020}} He recorded his first collegiate goal on November 14 against Michigan State in a 3–2 win.{{cite web |title=Men's Hockey vs Michigan State on 11/14/2014 - Box Score - Boston College Athletics |url=https://bceagles.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/stats/2014-15/michigan-state/boxscore/4648?&clean=true |website=bceagles.com |access-date=July 20, 2020}} He finished the season tied for fourth on the team with 17 assists. 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. On July 11, 2016, Sanford embarked on his professional career in signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals.{{cite web | url = https://capitalstoday.monumentalsportsnetwork.com/2016/07/11/capitals-sign-zach-sanford | title = Capitals sign Zach Sanford | publisher = Washington Capitals | date = 2016-07-11 | access-date = 2016-07-11 | archive-date = January 21, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180121072214/https://capitalstoday.monumentalsportsnetwork.com/2016/07/11/capitals-sign-zach-sanford | url-status = dead }}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2016/10/12/zach-sanford-tried-and-failed-to-keep-it-cool-with-barry-trotz-when-he-made-the-roster/ |title=Zach Sanford tried and failed to 'keep it cool' with Barry Trotz when he made the roster |website=russianmachineneverbreaks.com |date=2016-10-12 |access-date=2016-10-12}} 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 defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk on February 27, 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/morning-skate/blues-trade-shattenkirk-to-capitals/article_9a74d581-2209-54c3-9e92-7f4ac13d1d38.html |title=Blues trade Shattenkirk to Capitals |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |last1=Rutherford |first1=Jeremy P. |last2=Timmermann |first2=Tom |date=2017-02-27 |access-date=2017-02-27 |url-access=subscription}}

Sanford scored his first goal as a Blue on March 16, 2017, against the San Jose Sharks in a 4–1 win.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/400885444 |title=Tarasenko scores twice to lead Blues past Sharks 4-1 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=March 17, 2017 |access-date=February 23, 2023}} At the time of the trade, Sanford was being discussed as the future second or third line center in St. Louis.{{cite web |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/the-forgotten-blue/article_9e745664-df84-5f90-a5e1-2f2559d5e211.html | title=The Forgotten Blue |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=September 12, 2018 |access-date=February 23, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} He finished the season with two goals and five points in thirteen games with the Blues after the trade.{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/blues-activate-sanford-from-ir-assign-him-to-san-antonio |title=Blues Activate Sanford From IR, Assign Him to San Antonio |work=Fox Sports |date=February 15, 2018 |access-date=February 23, 2023}}

At the beginning of the 2017–18 season, Sanford suffered a dislocated shoulder in training camp and underwent surgery.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/blues-sanford-bouwmeester-injured-1.4296966 |title=Blues' Sanford, Bouwmeester injured during training camp |agency=Associated Press |work=CBC News |date=September 19, 2017 |access-date=February 23, 2023}} He was activated from the injured list on February 15, 2018 and re-assigned to the Blues AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage.

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/blues-promote-sanford-send-thorburn-to-ahl/article_ccafe443-67dc-5152-a6a9-e4d350fd392c.html |title=Blues promote Sanford, send Thorburn to AHL |last=Timmermann |first=Tom |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=October 16, 2018 |access-date=February 23, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} 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.{{cite web |title=Blues teammates Robert Bortuzzo and Zach Sanford fight in practice |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/25504866/st-louis-blues-robert-bortuzzo-zach-sanford-fight-practice |work=ESPN |access-date=December 11, 2018|date=December 11, 2018}} He was re-assigned to San Antonio on December 15, 2018, but recalled just two days later.{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/blues-assign-zach-sanford-to-rampage |title=Blues Assign Zach Sanford to Rampage |work=Fox Sports |date=December 15, 2018 |access-date=February 23, 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/blues-recall-sanford-assign-kostin-to-team-russia |title=Blues Recall Sanford, Assign Kostin to Team Russia |work=Fox Sports |date=December 17, 2018 |access-date=February 23, 2023}} He was sent down again to San Antonio in December{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/blues-activate-fabbri-from-ir-return-sanford-to-rampage |title=Blues Activate Fabbri from IR, Return Sanford to Rampage |work=Fox Sports |date=December 28, 2018 |access-date=February 23, 2023}} and recalled in January.{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/blues-activate-gunnarsson-from-ir-recall-sanford-from-san-antonio |title=Blues Activate Gunnarsson From IR, Recall Sanford from San Antonio |work=Fox Sports |date=January 3, 2019 |access-date=February 23, 2023}}

By January 2019, the Blues were in last place around the entire league resulting in a coaching and goaltender change.{{cite news |last1=McGran |first1=Kevin |title=Blues' Bozak, Gunnarsson ready to take on an old nemesis in Boston |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2019/05/26/blues-bozak-gunnarsson-ready-to-take-on-an-old-nemesis-in-boston.html |access-date=May 31, 2020 |work=Toronto Star |date=May 26, 2019}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Korac |first1=Louie |title=Grading the 2018-19 Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues |url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/sports/nhl/blues/opinion-grading-the-2018-19-stanley-cup-champion-st-louis-blues/63-d7fd9f9f-91ac-4259-9819-19040b01c810 |website=ksdk.com |access-date=November 25, 2019 |date=June 19, 2019}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Hass |first1=Trevor |title=Salem-born Zach Sanford scored a goal in Game 7 for the Blues |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-bruins/2019/06/13/zach-sanford-blues-salem-mass-boston-college |website=boston.com |access-date=June 1, 2020 |date=June 13, 2019}} Despite being a Stanley Cup winner, he was still unknown at this time as sports broadcasters were calling him irrelevant.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEXTcJzbub0 |title=Can You Pass This Quiz on the 2019 NHL Season? |website=YouTube}}

On July 9, 2019 Sanford signed a two-year extension with the Blues.{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/sanford-signs-two-year-3-million-deal-with-blues-to-avoid-arbitration |title=Sanford Signs Two-Year $3 Million Deal with Blues to Avoid Arbitration |work=Fox Sports |date=July 9, 2019 |access-date=February 23, 2023}} During the 2019–20 season, Sanford achieved a rare four-goal performance in a 6–5 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com/midwest/story/zach-sanford-four-goals-st-louis-blues-fall-6-5-overtime-vegas-golden-knights-021420 |title=Sanford scores four goals, but Blues fall 6-5 in overtime to Golden Knights |work=Fox Sports |date=February 14, 2020 | access-date=February 14, 2020}} 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. He also had a four points in a game on November 22, 2019{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/sanford-tallies-four-points-sundqvist-scores-twice-as-blues-shut-out-flames-5-0 |title=Sanford tallies four points, Sundqvist scores twice as Blues shut out Flames 5-0 |work=Fox Sports |date=November 22, 2019 |access-date=February 23, 2023}} and a three-point game on February 26, 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401146017 |title=Sanford has 3-point game, St. Louis beats Chicago 6-5 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=February 26, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2023}}

During the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, Sanford scored two goals in a 5–4 win over the Anaheim Ducks on March 2, 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nhl/sanford-scores-2-goals-blues-hold-off-ducks-54 |title=Sanford scores 2 goals, Blues hold off Ducks 5-4 |work=Fox Sports |agency=Associated Press |date=March 2, 2021 |access-date=February 23, 2023}} He finished the season with 16 points in 52 games.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/senators-trade-logan-brown-conditional-blues-zach-sanford/ |title=Senators trade Logan Brown, conditional pick to Blues for Zach Sanford |work=Sportsnet |date=September 25, 2021 |access-date=February 23, 2023}} On August 4, 2021, Sanford signed a one-year contract with the Blues.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/blues-forward-zach-sanford-agree-one-year-2m-contract/ |title=Blues, forward Zach Sanford agree to one-year, $2M contract |work=Sportsnet |date=August 4, 2021 |access-date=February 23, 2023}}

On September 25, 2021, Sanford was traded to the Ottawa Senators for forward Logan Brown and a conditional fourth round pick.{{Cite web |title=Senators acquire forward Zach Sanford from St. Louis |url=https://www.nhl.com/senators/news/senators-acquire-forward-zach-sanford-from-st-louis/c-326333126 |access-date=2021-09-25 |publisher=NHL.com |date=September 25, 2021}} In 50 games with the Senators, he scored nine goals and seventeen points.{{cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/zach-sanford-trade-winnipeg-jets-ottawa-senators-1.1774391 |title=Jets acquire Sanford from Sens for fifth-rounder |work=TSN |date=March 21, 2022 |access-date=February 23, 2023}}

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 pick at the NHL trade deadline on March 21, 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/jets/news/jets-acquire-forward-zach-sanford-from-the-ottawa-senators/c-332095510 |title=Jets acquire forward Zach Sanford from Senators |publisher=Winnipeg Jets |date=March 21, 2022 |access-date = March 21, 2022}} He played 30 games for Winnipeg, scoring four points.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/predators-sign-f-zach-sanford-to-one-year-850k-contract/ |title=Predators sign F Zach Sanford to one-year, $850K contract |work=Sportsnet |date=July 15, 2022 |access-date=February 23, 2023}} The Jets would ultimately miss the post-season.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/winnipeg-jets-eliminated-from-playoff-contention/c-333237368 |title=Jets eliminated from playoff contention due to penalty kill, defense |publisher=NHL.com |last=Campbell |first=Tim |date=April 21, 2022 |access-date=February 23, 2023}}

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/nashville-predators-sign-zach-sanford-to-one-year-contract/c-335003966 |title=Predators sign Zach Sanford to one-year deal |publisher=Nashville Predators |date=July 15, 2022 |access-date=July 15, 2022}} On November 22, 2022, the Predators placed Sanford on waivers.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/nhl/predators/news/nashville-predators-place-zach-sanford-on-waivers |title=Nashville Predators Place Zach Sanford on Waivers |last=Kimmel |first=Ann |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=November 22, 2022 |access-date=February 23, 2023}} After clearing waivers, Sanford was assigned to the Predators AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, the next day.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/nashville-predators-assign-zach-sanford-to-milwaukee-admirals-ahl/c-337958318 |title=Predators Assign Zach Sanford to Milwaukee (AHL) |publisher=Nashville Predators |date=November 23, 2022 |access-date=February 23, 2023}}

On July 14, 2023, Sanford signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Arizona Coyotes.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/coyotes-sign-zach-sanford-to-one-year-contract/c-345344208 |title=Coyotes Sign Zach Sanford to One-Year Contract |publisher=Arizona Coyotes |date=July 14, 2023 |access-date=July 14, 2023}} Sanford failed to make the Coyotes roster out of training camp and was placed on waivers.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/coyotes-zach-sanford-waived-for-ahl-demotion/ |title=Coyotes' Zach Sanford: Waived for AHL demotion |work=CBS Sports |date=October 8, 2023 |access-date=October 11, 2023}} He went unclaimed and was assigned to Arizona's AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, to start the 2023–24 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.tucsonroadrunners.com/news/tucson-roadrunners-road-ahead-dropping-the-puck-for-real-now/ |title=Tucson Roadrunners Road Ahead: Dropping the Puck for Real Now |publisher=Tucson Roadrunners |date=October 10, 2023 |access-date=October 11, 2023}} Sanford was recalled by Arizona on October 23 after injuries to Coyotes' forwards Jason Zucker and Michael Carcone.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/coyotes-zach-sanford-recalled-from-ahl/ |title=Coyotes' Zach Sanford: Recalled from AHL |work=CBS Sports |date=October 23, 2023 |access-date=October 24, 2023}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/coyotes-zach-sanford-heads-back-to-minors/ |title=Coyotes' Zach Sanford: Heads back to minors |work=CBS Sports |date=November 8, 2023 |access-date=November 10, 2023}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/coyotes-zach-sanford-on-waivers/ |title=Coyotes' Zach Sanford: On waivers |work=CBS Sports |date=January 5, 2024 |access-date=January 6, 2024}}

Sanford was claimed by the Chicago Blackhawks off waivers from the Coyotes on January 6, 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/blackhawks-claim-forward-zach-sanford-off-waivers-from-arizona/3319503/ |title=Blackhawks claim forward Zach Sanford off waivers from Arizona |work=NBC Chicago |date=January 6, 2024 |access-date=January 6, 2024}} He made his Blackhawks debut in a 4–3 victory over the Calgary Flames on January 7, registering his first point with the team when he assisted on Colin Blackwell's game winning goal in the third period.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=401559846 |title=Blackwell helps the Blackhawks beat the Flames 4-3 in first game without Bedard |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN |date=January 7, 2024 |access-date=October 21, 2024}} He played in 18 games with Chicago, marking four assists.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/news/release-blackhawks-sign-zach-sanford-to-one-year-two-way-contract |title=Release: Blackhawks Sign Zach Sanford to One-Year, Two-Way Contract |publisher=Chicago Blackhawks |via=NHL.com |date=May 28, 2024 |access-date=October 21, 2024}} On March 15, he was assigned to Chicago's AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, to make room for forward Lukas Reichel.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/news/release-blackhawks-recall-reichel-assign-sanford |title=Release: Blackhawks Recall Reichel, Assign Sanford |publisher=Chicago Blackhawks |via=NHL.com |date=March 18, 2024 |access-date=October 21, 2024}} He appeared in 13 games with Rockford, scoring three goals and six points.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/blackhawks-zach-sanford-put-on-waivers/ |title=Blackhawks' Zach Sanford: Put on waivers |work=CBS Sports |date=September 29, 2024 |access-date=October 21, 2024}}

On May 28, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Blackhawks. After going unclaimed on waivers, he was assigned to Rockford for the 2024–25 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/news/release-blackhawks-reduce-training-camp-roster-to-32-players |title=Release: Blackhawks Reduce Training Camp Roster to 32 Players |publisher=Chicago Blackhawks |via=NHL.com |date=September 30, 2024 |access-date=October 21, 2024}}

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Category:1994 births

Category:Living people

Category:American men's ice hockey left wingers

Category:Arizona Coyotes players

Category:Boston College Eagles men's ice hockey players

Category:Chicago Blackhawks players

Category:Chicago Wolves players

Category:Hershey Bears players

Category:Ice hockey players from Massachusetts

Category:Milwaukee Admirals players

Category:Nashville Predators players

Category:Ottawa Senators players

Category:Pinkerton Academy alumni

Category:Sportspeople from Salem, Massachusetts

Category:Ice hockey people from Essex County, Massachusetts

Category:Rockford IceHogs (AHL) players

Category:St. Louis Blues players

Category:San Antonio Rampage players

Category:Stanley Cup champions

Category:Tucson Roadrunners players

Category:Washington Capitals draft picks

Category:Washington Capitals players

Category:Waterloo Black Hawks players

Category:Winnipeg Jets players

Category:21st-century American sportsmen