Taking it to the Max: Sasson's belief finally leads to his NHL debut

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Pat Ferschweiler is probably sporting a smile of satisfaction and a knowing nod of appreciation.

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The Western Michigan Broncos hockey coach had a willing NCAA pupil in Max Sasson, who like anybody else, had a dream of playing in the NHL one day.

And despite being passed over in the NHL draft — and also being cut by a USHL junior team — the undaunted 24-year-old Vancouver Canucks forward finally punched his ticket to “The Show” on Saturday night in Ottawa.

It was beyond memorable in a 4-3 victory over the Senators to open a six-game road trip.

Sasson also collected his first NHL point by making a superb play off the rush in the second period — spinning off a defenceman to and finding a driving Teddy Blueger in the slot — to give the Canucks a 2-1 lead.

The effort was wildly celebrated by his family at the Canadian Tire Centre and saluted by Rick Tocchet.

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“I really liked his game,” said the Canucks head coach, who had Sasson aligned on the fourth line with Aatu Raty and Arshdeep Bains. “To just get called up out of the blue, he seized the moment and it was nice to see him contribute.”

Sasson got the call with Brock Boeser (concussion) and J.T. Miller (leave of absence) unavailable against the Senators. The Canucks needed another reliable forward to fill out their lineup and moved Pius Suter from wing back to centre between Dakota Joshua and Conor Garland.

“A really special night for my family and friends and people I’ve been with through hockey and life,” Sasson said after logging 7:49, throwing two hits and having a takeaway and the assist. “These guys (Canucks) made it easy. They were excited for me to play my first game and I just felt super comfortable.

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“I think my last year in junior (Waterloo, USHL) I kind of starting believing (NHL) but I always had an inner belief in myself. And then getting to school (Western Michigan) and skating with better players, I felt I can really do this.”

And then came the play Saturday.

“I just heard Teddy screaming and that’s the bread and butter in my game, bring the defence at me and pull up and look for the late guy,” said Sasson before breaking out in laughter while seeing a video clip of his family celebrating.

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Sasson earned the trust of Ferschweiler to be put out in any situation and responded in the 2022-23 season with 42 points (15-27) in 38 games. He finished 13th in NCAA scoring and averaged 1.11 points per outing and that caught the Canucks’ attention.

Sasson signed a two-year, entry-level deal with an US$870,000 cap hit that expires this season. He also has 51 points (22-29) in 72 games with Abbotsford of the AHL.

Ferschweiler has the look of a drill sergeant and was a Detroit Red Wings assistant for four years under former Western Michigan bench boss Jeff Blashill. Ferschweiler has also guided successful U.S. under-17 and under-18 teams, and Sasson was impressed.

“He does things in a very professional manner,” Sasson told Postmedia. “The meetings are super quick and detailed and you get what you need out of everything.

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“We played a pro style with a smart game and not taking too many chances. The stories he has had about (Henrik) Zetterberg and (Pavel) Datsyuk in Detroit, I’ve taken them in and I can’t say enough about the coaching staff.”

Kiefer Sherwood more than big hit

You have to love Kiefer Sherwood’s zest for the game.

The obvious is the feisty Winger’s NHL-leading hit total of 125 — he had his fourth 10-banger effort Saturday to equal a league record — and the benefit of his heavy forechecking game and the roster reality is top-six minutes.

It led to his sixth goal of the season Saturday to tie for the team lead.

Sherwood, 29, went hard to the net in the second period and his second whack at a loose puck found the net. It’s how the undrafted Columbus, Ohio native opened eyes to play for four NHL teams.

It’s also how he got on the Canucks’ radar last spring as an irritant for the Nashville Predators to land a two-year, $3 million free-agent contract that is paying off.

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bkuzma@postmedia.com

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