Former Chicago Blackhawks forward's NHL career takes unexpected turn for the worse
Photo credit: NHL.com
The NHL career of former Blackhawks forward Zach Sanford could be over, as he's signed with HC Lugano of the Swiss National League following a lack of contract offers in the NHL.
Former Stanley Cup-winning forward Zach Sanford appears to have reached the end of the line when it comes to his NHL career.
After he didn't receive any offers from an NHL club for the upcoming year, he went overseas and signed a contract with HC Lugano of the Swiss National League, which could effectively signal the end of his NHL career.
Team manager Janick Steinmann spoke highly of Sanford's experience and how it will benefit HC Lugano moving forward.
Zach Sanford brings a wealth of experience to our team. He is a very versatile forward who can play at wing or center, on the power play or penalty kill, where he is very strong. He will bring stability and quality to every aspect of the game and give the coaching staff multiple options for how to use him on different lines.
Sanford had 43 points (19G, 24A) in 70 games with the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate, the Rockford Ice Hogs.
Zach Sanford briefly played for the Blackhawks
Sanford was taken with the 61st overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals, and he would play for several teams including the St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, and Arizona Coyotes.
He won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks' divisional foe, the St. Louis Blues, in 2019.
Sanford first came to the Blackhawks when he was claimed off waivers from the Coyotes in January of 2024, and he played in 18 total games in a Blackhawks sweater.
