Report: Canucks goaltender Zach Sawchenko inks with Columbus Blue Jackets

Vancouver hockey insider Rick Dhaliwal announced Saturday evening that the Columbus Blue Jackets have signed goaltender Zach Sawchenko to a one-year contract.

Sawchenko, 26, spent the entire 2023-24 season with the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL, though he saw limited game action. The 6'1″ goaltender appeared in only six regular-season games for Abbotsford, achieving a 4-1-0 record and a .924 save percentage.

When Arturs Silovs moved up to the NHL Canucks during their 2024 Stanley Cup Playoff run, Sawchenko got more playing time with Abbotsford in the spring. He participated in six playoff games, finishing with a 2-4 record and an .898 save percentage.

Rick Dhaliwal did not specify Sawchenko's salary with the Blue Jackets, but it is likely he will be on a two-way contract, earning different amounts in the AHL and NHL. His previous contract with the Canucks was a two-way deal worth $775,000 in the NHL and $200,000 in Abbotsford.

Sawchenko, an undrafted player, signed his first NHL contract with the San Jose Sharks in 2021 after spending two seasons in their minor-league system. Before that, he played parts of four seasons with the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors and later joined the University of Alberta Golden Bears.

Sawchenko made his NHL debut with the Sharks in the 2021-22 season, recording a 1-2-1 record with a .901 save percentage over seven appearances. He spent the entire next season with the AHL's Chicago Wolves, posting a 17-18-5 record and an .895 save percentage in 41 games.

The Canucks have four goaltenders signed for the 2024-25 season, with a fifth expected once Silovs finalizes his new deal. With Thatcher Demko, Silovs, Nikita Tolopilo, Ty Young, and the newly-signed Jiri Patera, Vancouver's goaltending depth looks strong.

Source: Canucks Army
Report: Former AHL Canucks goalie Zach Sawchenko signs with Columbus Blue Jackets

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