Max Sasson’s father Alan was planning a trip out west to see his son play in the American Hockey League for the Abbotsford Canucks this weekend. Instead, the elder Sasson will be at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on Saturday night when his son makes his National Hockey League debut for the Vancouver Canucks.
Max was in Henderson, Nevada with his AHL team when he received a text to call Abbotsford general manager Ryan Johnson.
“He said give me a call when I can and I figured it was good news,” Sasson told the media after his first practice with the big league team on Friday afternoon. “He told me it was his favourite call to make and that I was going to be playing my first game on Saturday and that I was getting called up. It was a ton of emotions and I’m sure it will sink in even more, but just thinking about all the days at the rink and growing up and how much it means to my family and friends and everyone that has followed me throughout my career. It was as really special day.”
Sasson wasted no time sharing the good news. He picked up the phone and called his father and told him to change those plans to head west and head north from the family home in Michigan, instead.
“I called my dad, he’s probably my biggest fan, he’s been there the whole way.” the younger Sasson explained. “I said you’re not going to Henderson, you’re going to Ottawa. He was like ‘What?! What?! And he started screaming. He started crying. It was a pretty special phone call. It’s his first game, too, it feels like. I called my mom after, my brother, my girlfriend. It was awesome.”
The 24-year-old Birmingham, Michigan native has four goals and five assists in 16 games in the minors this season. Sasson was a free agent signing by the Canucks in March 2023 out of Western Michigan University.
With only 12 healthy forwards currently on the NHL roster, Sasson will draw into the line-up Saturday when the Canucks open a six-game road trip. It’s unclear where he’ll slot into the depth chart, but likely in a fourth line role to start.
With JT Miller out of the line-up, the Canucks centre depth is being tested. Pius Suter has moved back to the middle although with Sasson in the line-up it gives Rick Tocchet some flexibility to use Suter as a winger if he prefers. Or Sasson could debut on the wing as he gets his feet wet in the NHL. The Canucks also have Elias Pettersson, Teddy Blueger and Aatu Räty to play centre.
Sasson says he’s used his time in Abbotsford to prepare for this opportunity and felt it would eventually come. And now it has.
“It wasn’t just this year, it was last year as well, putting myself in a good spot and trying to get better and use all the tools we have here with the Sedins, they’re always coming to Abbotsford and helping us out,” he says. “I thought it was only a matter of time before I got my chance and I’m so glad it’s worked out and I got called up. The year’s been good. We have a pretty good team down there and they’re all really happy for me to get the call.”
Rick Tocchet’s excited to get a look at Sasson in game action after seeing him at training camp and thorugh the preseason.
“He’s a guy that has really trended as a real good prospect for us, the last couple of years he’s really worked on his game,” the coach said. “Hard working guy and there’s an opportunity for him and we’re excited for him.”
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