Hockey dream still alive for netminder Sawchenko
Zach Sawchenko is ready to take his hockey career down a new path.
It’s not uncommon for Western Hockey League players to leave junior early to pursue their university education, but for a player with the pedigree and track record like Sawchenko, it’s different.
The 19-year-old goaltender chose to forgo his final season with the Moose Jaw Warriors and join the University of Alberta Golden Bears, who open the 2017-18 Canada West hockey season Friday night when they host the Mount Royal Cougars at Clare Drake Arena.
Sawchenko’s resume is impressive. He’s a two-time WHL Eastern Conference goaltender of the year. He’s represented Canada at international junior tournaments and attended an NHL training camp. Sawchenko’s arguably been the WHL’s best goalie the past two seasons.
Despite all of this, Sawchenko wanted to re-evaluate his future.
“Ever since I was 16 years old, the goal was to play pro hockey, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes you have to take a different path,” Sawchenko said. “There was still a chance I could earn that first contract, but there’s no guarantee that I would get a second one and I didn’t want to lose my scholarship opportunity.”
There were plenty of accolades for Sawchenko in his four years with the Warriors, but there were disappointments, too.
In his draft year, he was among the top-ranked goalies. He felt strongly that an NHL team would call his name, but it didn’t happen that June weekend in Buffalo, N.Y.
“It was one of the most humbling moments of my life to sit through seven rounds and 210 picks and not hear my name called,” Sawchenko said. “It was supposed to be the biggest moment of my hockey career. I had my loved ones in the stands with me, but it didn’t end up being the fairy tale I envisioned.
“It was tough, but it just shows you that even when things are going great, nothing is ever given to you in hockey.”
Sawchenko put the disappointment of being passed over behind and last year had an even better season with the Warriors. Again, he was overlooked at the draft.
Part way through last year, Sawchenko started to think up a backup plan.
“I didn’t want to be married to the game anymore. Everybody feels there is a certain path you want to take if you want to play pro hockey, but I feel everybody’s path is different,” Sawchenko said. “If the reward isn’t worth the risk anymore, you kind of have the benefit of walking away. I can walk away freely with no doubts in my mind.”
Just because Sawchenko is playing for U of A now doesn’t mean he’s giving up his pro hockey dream. It’s just been rerouted.
“I’m not giving up on the dream by any means,” Sawchenko said. “Getting my education was important to me.”
What makes Sawchenko’s route to the U of A even more special was that he approached the Golden Bears about joining their team.
It was his top choice to play university hockey as his mom and dad are alumni.
“I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and saw that Luke Siemens was turning pro, and I jumped up and did a fist pump,” Sawchenko said. “I approached (Golden Bears head coach) Serge (Lajoie) and (Golden Bears GM) Stan (Marple) and I tried to convince them it was the best move for me and for them.”
For the Golden Bears to add a goaltender of Sawchenko’s calibre was a no-brainer. Sawchenko will give Alberta a lethal one-two punch with incumbent starter Brendan Burke.
The U of A has a history of moving players into pro hockey after graduation and Sawchenko will be motivated to add to the list.
“He’s a mature young man who assessed his situation. Some players might have been discouraged by it (not getting drafted). He looked at it as, what else could this offer me? The education part of it is going to open up so many more doors,” Lajoie said. “With his mindset and his willingness to get better, (it) will open up opportunities for pro hockey down the road.”