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Speedy Sasson believes he’s faster than ever as he prepares for fourth Canucks training camp

Photo credit: © Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

By Jeff Paterson

Sep 10, 2026, 12:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 9, 2026, 19:56 EDT

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In each of his previous three training camps in the Vancouver Canucks organization, Max Sasson has done his best to make a mark at centre ice. But as last season unfolded, the 26-year-old was shifted to left wing and seemed to find his footing. Sasson scored 13 goals in 66 National Hockey League games – the same total as Evander Kane and just two goals back of Elias Pettersson.

So as the Birmingham, MI native returns to town for the start of the new hockey season, he does so likely pencilled in as a winger for the first time since turning pro after two seasons at Western Michigan University. Although, Sasson insists he’s not fixating on the position he plays. He just wants to put his best foot forward at training camp next week and leave the deployment decisions to new head coach Manny Malhotra.

“I don’t think too many of us have had conversations as far as linemates or pairings go or whatever it may be,” Sasson said after an informal late summer skate at Rogers Arena on Wednesday morning. “Wherever they put me, I feel comfortable. Last year, when I went to the wing, especially down the stretch there, I started feeling very confident on the wall. And getting to use my speed maybe a little bit more and not having to run around in the d-zone as much and when I get the puck to be able to fly up the ice. Wherever they put me, I’ll feel comfortable and I think that’s an asset of mine. But as of today, I think I’m (dramatic pause) a forward.”

With Elias Pettersson, Marco Rossi, Filip Chytil and Aatu Räty likely slotted as the Canucks centres to start the season, Sasson is probably best served to view himself as a full-time winger. Although, if the Canucks decide that Chytil is better suited to shift to a wing, then perhaps Sasson’s versatility will be called up. It’s also conceivable the Canucks will look to mine the waiver wire for a centre before the puck drops on the team’s September 29th season opener.

Regardless, Sasson is here to build on what he accomplished last season and prove he’s a full-time NHLer at this stage of his career.

“Each year I’ve taken a step forward, and last year I thought I had some really high-quality stretches,” he said. “I always have a chip on my shoulder. Undrafted guy. Feels like every single day, just trying to keep proving how good I am and how [much] I believe in myself. I think that’s the challenge this year to strive for better.”

One thing is undeniable: Sasson has big-league wheels. His 38.13 kilometres per hour peak speed last season was the fastest on the Canucks and ranked him in the 97th percentile among all NHL skaters. His 15 bursts of 35 km/h placed him in the 95th percentile among his peers.

So Sasson can scoot. He knows it and wants to continue to use that strength to create offence this season.

“When I got to juniors and the USHL, I was just trying to do anything to get into the lineup, and then as I progressed I started to feel that this was my separator,” he explained of his speed. “I don’t think you can be fast enough. Every summer, I try to gain another step and be as elite as possible in that regard. I didn’t know how it would translate to the pro level. In Abbotsford, I started to find that rhythm, and here I think at first I was feeling it out, and as I started to get more comfortable anticipating the game and using my speed, I think it’s been a growth process, but I have put in a lot of work to achieve that, for sure.”

When asked if he’s faster now than when he left at the end of last season, Sasson didn’t hesitate.

“I think so,” he said with a laugh. “I think you’ll see a higher burst.”

Max Sasson is on the launch pad and can’t wait to blast off and put that speed to good use when training camp opens next week in Penticton.

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