Former Golden Bears goalie
Zach Sawchenko made University of Alberta history on Sunday, becoming the 13th Bears Hockey Alumni, and first goalie, to play in a NHL contest.
Sawchenko, who spent two season with the Bears (2017-19), saw his first NHL action in the second period of the San Jose Shark's game on Sunday afternoon, coming in the game in relief of Sharks starter James Reimer. Sawchenko stopped 20 of the 21 Pittsburgh Penguins shots he faced over two periods, with the former Bears netminder playing just over 38 minutes in his debut.Â
Sawchenko joins former Bears forward Derek Ryan (Edmonton Oilers) as the only GBH alumni currently on an NHL roster— Ryan has been a full-time NHL player since 2016.Â
The former Moose Jaw Warrior made an immediate impact with the Bears when he joined in 2017, helping lead the Bears to a University Cup title as a rookie. As a rookie, Sawchenko finished with a 12-2-0 conference record, with a 2.12 goals against average and 0.911 save percentage, with the Bears adding a Canada West title.Â
In 2018/19, Sawchenko was named a second-team conference all-star after leading the Bears with a 16-2-0 record, with a conference best 1.46 GAA, 0.926 SVP, and a new single-season record with five shutouts. The Calgary, Alta. product signed an Entry Level Contract (ELC) with the San Jose Sharks in the summer of 2019.Â
Since turning pro, Sawchenko has suited up in 20 ECHL games and 27 AHL games with the Sharks minor league affiliates.Â
GOLDEN BEARS IN THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
| Player |
NHL Years |
Team(s) |
Years w/ each team |
| Dave MacKay |
(1940-41) |
Chicago Blackhawks |
1940-41 |
|
| Bryon Baltimore |
(1979-80) |
Edmonton Oilers |
1979-80 |
|
| Kevin Primeau |
(1980-81) |
Vancouver Canucks |
1980-81 |
|
| Dave Hindmarch |
(1980-84) |
Calgary Flames |
1980-81 to 1983-84 |
|
| Don Spring |
(1980-84) |
Winnipeg Jets |
1980-81 to 1983-84 |
|
| Dr. Randy Gregg |
(1981-92) |
Edmonton Oilers |
1981-81 to 1989-90 |
|
|
Vancouver Canucks |
1991-92 |
|
| Wade Campbell |
(1982-88) |
Winnipeg Jets |
1982-83 to 1985-86 |
|
|
Boston Bruins |
1985-86 to 1987-88 |
|
| Dean Clark |
(1983-84) |
Edmonton |
1983-84* |
| *played in NHL before joining Golden Bears for 1986-87 season |
|
| Colin Chisholm |
(1986-87) |
Minnesota North Stars |
1986-87 |
|
| Brent Severyn |
(1989-99) |
Quebec Nordiques |
1989-90 |
|
|
Florida Panthers |
1993-94 to 1994-95 |
|
|
NY Islanders |
1994-95 to 1995-96 |
|
|
Colorado Avalanche |
1996-97 |
|
|
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim |
1997-98 |
|
|
Dallas Stars |
1998-99 |
|
| Ian Herbers |
(1993-94, 99-00) |
Edmonton Oilers |
1993-94 |
|
|
Tampa Bay Lightning |
1999-00 |
|
|
NY Islanders |
1999-00 |
|
| Cory Cross |
(1993-2006) |
Tampa Bay Lightning |
1993-94 to 1998-99 |
|
|
Toronto Maple Leafs |
1999-00 to 2001-02 |
|
|
NY Rangers |
2002-03 |
|
|
Edmonton Oilers |
2002-03 to 2005-06 |
|
|
Pittsburgh Penguins |
2005-06 |
|
|
Detroit Red Wings |
2005-06 |
|
| Derek Ryan |
(2015-present) |
Carolina Hurricanes |
2015-16 to 2017-18 |
|
|
Calgary Flames |
2018-19 to 2020-21 |
|
|
Edmonton Oilers |
2021-22 to present |
|
| Zach Sawchenko |
(2021-present) |
San Jose Sharks |
2021-22 to present |
* Cy Thomas (1948/49) and Dean Clark (1986/87) played for the Golden Bears after playing in the NHL.
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