Warrior Sharks: Sawchenko signs NHL contract with San Jose, Halbgewachs called up to taxi squad
The San Jose Sharks could have as many as three former Moose Jaw Warriors teammates in their line-up in the near future, after a series of developments in recent days.
First, the Sharks announced just before the NHL trade deadline that former Warriors goaltender Zach Sawchenko had signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the squad, marking the next step in what has been a remarkable journey for the 23-year-old.
The deal begins this season and sees Sawchenko earning $700,000 in 2020-21 and $750,000 in 2021-22 should he crack the NHL roster, as well as an $80,000 salary should he remain in the American Hockey League.
“Dream come true signing my first NHL contract with the San Jose Sharks,” Sawchenko said on Twitter while signing the contract. “Huge thanks to all the teammates, coaches and friends that have helped me get to this point. Most importantly, thank you to my family that have unconditionally supported this childhood dream of mine.”
Sawchenko has seen stellar success the last two seasons in the AHL and ECHL, putting up a 2.76 goals against average in 16 AHL games with the San Jose Barracuda and a 2.42 GAA in 20 ECHL games with the Allen Americans. According to the website ProHockeyRumours, Sawchenko is essentially the fourth-string goaltender for San Jose at the moment and could see NHL action soon if the team runs into injury or illness down the stretch.
The news didn’t stop there when it came to the Warriors and Sharks, as the team also announced on Wednesday that forward Jayden Halbgewachs had been promoted to the San Jose taxi squad.
Halbgewachs, 24, had played the previous two seasons with the Barracuda and put up 22 goals and 70 points in 119 games. This season, he has four goals in 17 games.
The Sharks re-signed Halbgewachs to a two-year contract in October and the former WHL scoring champion was considered to have a chance of cracking the San Jose roster out of training camp. He was sent down but considered a lock to be called up at some point this season. Should both be called up to the main roster in the near future, they could join another former Warrior in forward Noah Gregor.
Gregor has been up and down with the Sharks taxi squad throughout the season but recently returned to the NHL on Apr. 13. The 22-year-old has three goals in 16 games with the Sharks to go along with three goals and nine points in 10 AHL games.
Sawchenko, Halbgewachs and Gregor played three seasons together with the Warriors from 2014-15 through 2016-17.