Latest news with #MaxSasson
CTV News
5 hours ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Abbotsford Canucks heading to Calder Cup finals
The Abbotsford Canucks are heading to the Calder Cup finals, marking the first time in 10 years that a Vancouver Canucks AHL affiliate has made it this far. The team was holding a 3-2 series lead as they entered Game 6 of the Western Conference final. It ended in a 4-2 victory with Arshdeep Bains scoring the game's final goal into an empty net with 35 seconds remaining in the game. But the player getting the most attention from Sunday's game is centre Max Sasson, who is also being called the hero of the game for giving the team the lead. 'Everyone was a part of this, and it feels really good,' shared Sasson after the win. Matt Sekeres, host of Sekeres & Price, said Sunday's game can do a lot for upcoming Abbotsford Canucks seasons. 'It's probably going to make selling tickets next season and beyond a whole lot easier now that people have experienced this run to the Calder Cup,' shared Sekeres. The young AHL players have an opportunity and are stepping up, Sekeres added. 'Defenseman Victor Mancini was terrific in this postseason run, he is going to be pushing for a job with the big Canucks next season. The same goes for other players, (including) Sasson and goaltender Artur Silovs.' The team has been thriving with the help of head coach Manny Malhotra. 'I'm really happy to see the guys getting rewarded for the way they're playing and their commitment,' said Malhotra following Sunday's win. But the team's success has some fans wondering why the Vancouver Canucks didn't promote Malhotra when head coach Rick Tocchet left. The position was ultimately given to Adam Foote. 'If they were out hiring an established National Hockey League head coach, then you can understand bypassing Manny Malhotra for this job,' said Sekeres. 'But they wound up hiring a relatively inexperienced head coach to begin with.' The Calder Cup finals begin Friday night, with the Canucks in Charlotte, N.C., to take on the Checkers in Game 1.
National Post
8 hours ago
- Sport
- National Post
Abbotsford Canucks: How Max Sasson savoured the biggest goal of his career
Max Sasson's heightened level of resolve was already a good story. Article content Undrafted and undaunted to carve out a pro hockey career is a good book of work that includes his first NHL game and then his first goal with the Vancouver Canucks earlier this NHL season. Article content Article content However, the latest chapter is also a must-read. The amiable Abbotsford Canucks centre, who struggled to score in the AHL Western Conference final series, finally found the back of the net when it mattered the most Sunday in Game 6 against the Texas Stars. Article content Sasson snapped a 2-2 draw midway through the final period with a deft deflection of a point shot by Akito Hirose to send the Abbotsford Centre crowd into a frenzy. And when Arshdeep Bains scored his second of the night into an empty net, the Canucks punched their ticket to the best-of-seven Calder Cup final against the Charlotte Checkers. It opens Friday in North Carolina. Article content Sasson's exuberant goal celebration was highlight-reel material because of its impact. Bigger than his first NHL game on Nov. 23, 2024, in which he had an assist, and bigger than his first goal a few weeks later on Dec. 14. How high does Sunday's marker rank? Article content 'It's got to be No. 1,' said the 24-year-old Sasson. 'I've been pretty snake-bitten. I've had a lot of shots and for one to go in at that moment, it felt really, really good. Obviously, a massive goal for the team. When we get a lead in the third we're a really hard team to break down with our structure.' Article content Article content Which, of course, prompted the big fist pump after Sasson's decisive goal. It was his first in seven games and fourth of the post-season. He had 13 goals in 41 regular-season outings because he's adept at tipping pucks. Article content Article content 'I just let it all out,' he said of the celly. 'It felt like the monkey was off my back, and the crowd was insane, just the whole place. I kept on looking around and 'wow'. That was so cool.' Article content Sasson was so caught up in the post-game celebration that he wanted to touch the conference final championship trophy, which of course is a no-no for any team with higher aspirations, so the traditional team photograph had to suffice. Article content 'Chase (captain Wouters) let us know we're not touching it,' laughed Sasson of getting his mitts on the Clarke Trophy. 'But I wanted to touch it pretty bad. I haven't won much and I just pretended to almost touch it just to mock him a little bit. But, yeah, we're looking for the next one (Calder Cup).'
The Province
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Province
Abbotsford Canucks: How Max Sasson savoured the biggest goal of his career
Max Sasson wasn't drafted and was cut from a USHL junior team. He scored the winning goal Sunday as his AHL club advanced to the Calder Cup final. Get the latest from Ben Kuzma straight to your inbox Abbotsford Canucks centre Max Sasson had a lot to celebrate Sunday with the winning goal to vault his AHL club to the Calder Cup final series. Photo by Abbotsford Canucks/Flickr Max Sasson's heightened level of resolve was already a good story. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Undrafted and undaunted to carve out a pro hockey career is a good book of work that includes his first NHL game and then his first goal with the Vancouver Canucks earlier this NHL season. However, the latest chapter is also a must-read. The amiable Abbotsford Canucks centre, who struggled to score in the AHL Western Conference final series, finally found the back of the net when it mattered the most Sunday in Game 6 against the Texas Stars. Sasson snapped a 2-2 draw midway through the final period with a deft deflection of a point shot by Akito Hirose to send the Abbotsford Centre crowd into a frenzy. And when Arshdeep Bains scored his second of the night into an empty net, the Canucks punched their ticket to the best-of-seven Calder Cup final against the Charlotte Checkers. It opens Friday in North Carolina. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Sasson's exuberant goal celebration was highlight-reel material because of its impact. Bigger than his first NHL game on Nov. 23, 2024, in which he had an assist, and bigger than his first goal a few weeks later on Dec. 14. How high does Sunday's marker rank? 'It's got to be No. 1,' said the 24-year-old Sasson. 'I've been pretty snake-bitten. I've had a lot of shots and for one to go in at that moment, it felt really, really good. Obviously, a massive goal for the team. When we get a lead in the third we're a really hard team to break down with our structure.' The Canucks outshot the Stars 17-4 in the third period and finding the path to victory was quickly becoming more of a 'when' instead of an 'if' they would score. Abbotsford Canucks forward Max Sasson celebrates Sunday after netting the winning goal in Game 6. Photo by Abbotsford Canucks/Flickr Which, of course, prompted the big fist pump after Sasson's decisive goal. It was his first in seven games and fourth of the post-season. He had 13 goals in 41 regular-season outings because he's adept at tipping pucks. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I just let it all out,' he said of the celly. 'It felt like the monkey was off my back, and the crowd was insane, just the whole place. I kept on looking around and 'wow'. That was so cool.' Sasson was so caught up in the post-game celebration that he wanted to touch the conference final championship trophy, which of course is a no-no for any team with higher aspirations, so the traditional team photograph had to suffice. 'Chase (captain Wouters) let us know we're not touching it,' laughed Sasson of getting his mitts on the Clarke Trophy. 'But I wanted to touch it pretty bad. I haven't won much and I just pretended to almost touch it just to mock him a little bit. But, yeah, we're looking for the next one (Calder Cup).' It's the second time that an AHL affiliate of the parent Canucks has made it to the big dance since 2015. Travis Green guided the Utica Comets to the championship series but his club fell in five games to the powerhouse Manchester Monarchs. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We'll be ready for Charlotte, but … we've got to enjoy these moments,' added Sasson. 'They don't come every year. Just to see what the guys did in the third and have it happen in a big game. There's just so much belief in the room. We knew we were going to end it and get the next one (goal).' Abbotsford forward Jujhar Khaira is congratulated by Sammy Blais after scoring in the third period Sunday. Photo by Abbotsford Canucks/Flickr To get to this place could have been hard for Sasson to imagine. He's a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, but is wired to make the most of whatever may come. It started when the Birmingham, Mich., native first showed pro potential in three USHL stops. 'I think my last year in junior (Waterloo, USHL) I kind of started believing (NHL), but I always had an inner belief in myself,' stressed Sasson. 'And then getting to school (Western Michigan) and skating with better players, I felt I can really do this.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Western Michigan was the perfect union of team and a driven and dedicated coach in long-serving Pat Ferschweiler. Sasson earned trust to be deployed in any situation and responded in the 2022-23 season with 42 points (15-27) in 38 games. He centred the first line and finished 13th in NCAA scoring and averaged 1.11 points per outing. That caught the Canucks' attention. Ferschweiler has the look of a drill sergeant. He was a Detroit Red Wings assistant for four years under former Western Michigan bench boss Jeff Blashill, who is now guiding the Chicago Blackhawks. Ferschweiler has also mentored successful U.S. Under-17 and Under-18 teams, so Sasson was obviously impressed. 'He does things in a very professional manner,' Sasson once told Postmedia News. 'The meetings are super-quick and detailed and you get what you need out of everything. We played a pro style with a smart game and not taking too many chances. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. '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.' Sounds a lot like Manny Malhotra. He's gaining NHL recognition as an effective and efficient bench boss in running his first pro bench. When the Dallas Stars fired Pete DeBoer on Friday, listed Malhotra as a 3-1 favourite to get the franchise over the hump and to the Stanley Cup Final. However, how the Stars address five key unrestricted free agent forwards will tell the tale for next season. One last hurrah? That usually calls for NHL bench-boss experience. bkuzma@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Sports Local News Local News Sports
Vancouver Sun
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Abbotsford Canucks: How Max Sasson savoured the biggest goal of his career
Max Sasson's heightened level of resolve was already a good story. Undrafted and undaunted to carve out a pro hockey career is a good book of work that includes his first NHL game and then his first goal with the Vancouver Canucks earlier this NHL season. However, the latest chapter is also a must-read. The amiable Abbotsford Canucks centre, who struggled to score in the AHL Western Conference final series, finally found the back of the net when it mattered the most Sunday in Game 6 against the Texas Stars. Sasson snapped a 2-2 draw midway through the final period with a deft deflection of a point shot by Akito Hirose to send the Abbotsford Centre crowd into a frenzy. And when Arshdeep Bains scored his second of the night into an empty net, the Canucks punched their ticket to the best-of-seven Calder Cup final against the Charlotte Checkers. It opens Friday in North Carolina. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Sasson's exuberant goal celebration was highlight-reel material because of its impact. Bigger than his first NHL game on Nov. 23, 2024, in which he had an assist, and bigger than his first goal a few weeks later on Dec. 14. How high does Sunday's marker rank? 'It's got to be No. 1,' said the 24-year-old Sasson. 'I've been pretty snake-bitten. I've had a lot of shots and for one to go in at that moment, it felt really, really good. Obviously, a massive goal for the team. When we get a lead in the third we're a really hard team to break down with our structure.' The Canucks outshot the Stars 17-4 in the third period and finding the path to victory was quickly becoming more of a 'when' instead of an 'if' they would score. Which, of course, prompted the big fist pump after Sasson's decisive goal. It was his first in seven games and fourth of the post-season. He had 13 goals in 41 regular-season outings because he's adept at tipping pucks. 'I just let it all out,' he said of the celly. 'It felt like the monkey was off my back, and the crowd was insane, just the whole place. I kept on looking around and 'wow'. That was so cool.' Sasson was so caught up in the post-game celebration that he wanted to touch the conference final championship trophy, which of course is a no-no for any team with higher aspirations, so the traditional team photograph had to suffice. 'Chase (captain Wouters) let us know we're not touching it,' laughed Sasson of getting his mitts on the Clarke Trophy. 'But I wanted to touch it pretty bad. I haven't won much and I just pretended to almost touch it just to mock him a little bit. But, yeah, we're looking for the next one (Calder Cup).' It's the second time that an AHL affiliate of the parent Canucks has made it to the big dance since 2015. Travis Green guided the Utica Comets to the championship series but his club fell in five games to the powerhouse Manchester Monarchs. 'We'll be ready for Charlotte, but … we've got to enjoy these moments,' added Sasson. 'They don't come every year. Just to see what the guys did in the third and have it happen in a big game. There's just so much belief in the room. We knew we were going to end it and get the next one (goal).' To get to this place could have been hard for Sasson to imagine. He's a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, but is wired to make the most of whatever may come. It started when the Birmingham, Mich., native first showed pro potential in three USHL stops. 'I think my last year in junior (Waterloo, USHL) I kind of started believing (NHL), but I always had an inner belief in myself,' stressed Sasson. 'And then getting to school (Western Michigan) and skating with better players, I felt I can really do this.' Western Michigan was the perfect union of team and a driven and dedicated coach in long-serving Pat Ferschweiler. Sasson earned trust to be deployed in any situation and responded in the 2022-23 season with 42 points (15-27) in 38 games. He centred the first line and finished 13th in NCAA scoring and averaged 1.11 points per outing. That caught the Canucks' attention. Ferschweiler has the look of a drill sergeant. He was a Detroit Red Wings assistant for four years under former Western Michigan bench boss Jeff Blashill, who is now guiding the Chicago Blackhawks. Ferschweiler has also mentored successful U.S. Under-17 and Under-18 teams, so Sasson was obviously impressed. 'He does things in a very professional manner,' Sasson once told Postmedia News. 'The meetings are super-quick and detailed and you get what you need out of everything. 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.' Sounds a lot like Manny Malhotra. He's gaining NHL recognition as an effective and efficient bench boss in running his first pro bench. When the Dallas Stars fired Pete DeBoer on Friday, listed Malhotra as a 3-1 favourite to get the franchise over the hump and to the Stanley Cup Final. However, how the Stars address five key unrestricted free agent forwards will tell the tale for next season. One last hurrah? That usually calls for NHL bench-boss experience. bkuzma@
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Abbotsford Canucks Need Their Stars To Shine If They Are Going To Advance To The 2025 Western Conference Final
The Abbotsford Canucks are one win away from history. If they can defeat the Colorado Eagles on Monday, Abbotsford will qualify for its first-ever AHL Western Conference Final. Ultimately, this is a big moment for not just the organization, as it shows that the Vancouver Canucks have built a strong prospect poll that can win at the AHL level. Latest From THN's Vancouver Canucks Site: Canucks Prospect Basile Sansonnens & The Rimouski Océanic Fall To The London Knights 3-1 At The 2025 Memorial Cup Canucks' Conor Garland And Drew O'Connor Win Gold, Marcus Pettersson Wins Bronze At 2025 IIHF Worlds Vancouver Canucks Draft Class Throwback: 2020 If the Canucks are going to advance, they need their top players to be at their best. Despite Abbotsford skaters having strong individual performances throughout the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs, only Sammy Blais is at a point per game, while Linus Karlsson is the only skater with over three goals during the 11 games. Yes, depth scoring is important, but at this stage, the Canucks need one of their stars to take over the game and lead them to victory. The first skater who needs to have a big game is Max Sasson. The 24-year-old has been one of Abbotsford's best players all playoffs, but only has three goals and six points in 11 games. If Sasson can once again get at least three shots on net, there is a good chance he finds his way onto the scoresheet in Game 5. Next up is Arshdeep Bains, who is still looking for his first goal of the post-season. While Bains has been active offensively with five assists, going 11 games without a goal is surprising. Ultimately, the key for Bains may be getting every puck he can on net in order to break his scoring slump. Lastly, Victor Mancini will need to have a strong performance in this win-or-go-home Game 5. The 23-year-old has been Abbotsford's best defenceman throughout the post-season, and is already up to five points in 11 games. If Mancini can continue to have an impact at both ends of the ice, it will go a long way in helping the Canucks punch their ticket to the next round. Ultimately, Abbotsford needs its stars to step up if it is going to win Game 5. As mentioned, the Canucks have done a great job spreading the offence around the lineup during the playoffs, but these types of moments often require big performances from top-of-the-lineup players. In the end, Abbotsford has created a competitive roster that, with stellar performances from its best players, could be on its way to face the Texas Stars in the Western Conference Final. Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.
