Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images
The Washington Capitals have re-assigned forward Zach Sanford to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
With the Capitals now officially on their bye-week, the move allows Sanford to rejoin the Hershey Bears, and continue playing while the Caps are off. The Bears are in Bridgeport to play the Sound Tigers on Sunday.
Just two hours before being notified he was returning to Hershey, Sanford scored the Capitals game winning goal against the Anaheim Ducks.
Zach Sanford’s first NHL Goal was a HUGE one. #Caps win 6-4. #CapsDucks #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/LicjX3RUTg
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 12, 2017
FROM CAPITALS MEDIA RELEASE
Sanford, 22, earned two points (1g, 1a) in 21 games with the Capitals this season. The Salem, Mass., native made his NHL debut on Oct. 13 at Pittsburgh and earned his first NHL point with an assist on Oct. 30 at Calgary. Sanford scored the game-winning goal in the third period on Feb. 11 against Anaheim, marking his first NHL goal. Sanford was drafted by the Capitals in the second round, 61st overall, in the 2013 NHL Draft.
Sanford has registered 14 points (9g, 5a) in 24 games with Hershey this season. The 6’4”, 203-pound forward made his AHL debut on Dec. 2 at Lehigh Valley and earned his first AHL point with a goal on Dec. 4 against Syracuse. Sanford recorded a career-high four points (2g, 2a) on Dec. 11 against Rochester.
Sanford registered 39 points (13g, 26a) in 41 games with Boston College (NCAA) in 2015-16. He led the team in assists, ranked third in points and fifth in goals as a sophomore. In addition, he ranked second on the team in plus/minus (27) and tallied 44 penalty minutes during the 2015-16 season. Sanford registered 63 points (22g, 43a) in 79 career games with Boston College.
By Jon Sorensen
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