40 | AUGUST 24 • 2023
SPORTS
M
ax Sasson is one step
away from living his
dream of playing in
the NHL.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound
center from Birmingham was
signed by the NHL’s Vancouver
Canucks to a two-year,
entry-level contract in May, and
he reported to the Abbotsford
Canucks for Abbotsford’s play-
off push.
Abbotsford is the Canucks’
affiliate in the American
Hockey League, the top minor
league for NHL teams.
Sasson, 22, signed with
Vancouver as a free agent after
two stellar seasons playing for
Western Michigan University.
“
After seeing what I was able
to do at the collegiate level, I
decided it was time for me to
move on to the next step in my
career: professional hockey,”
he said. “I’d had good conver-
sations with Vancouver, so I
felt comfortable signing with
them.”
The Canucks are happy to
have Sasson on board.
“Max has shown continual
improvement in his game in the
Former Western Michigan University
hockey star Max Sasson signs with
the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks.
Maximum Effort
STEVE STEIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Max Sasson works out
this summer at Phyx
Performance in Troy.
MAX SASSON
Max Sasson is
introduced to the
Abbotsford Canucks
crowd as the No. 1
star of the game
following a win
over the Bridgeport
Islanders.
DARREN FRANCIS