Zach Sanford Bio
Zachary Michael Sanford is an American professional ice hockey forward currently playing for HC Lugano of the Swiss National League. He was selected 61st overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2013 National Hockey League (NHL) entry draft and went on to win the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 203 pounds, Sanford plays as a left winger and shoots left.
Over the course of his professional career, Sanford has suited up for several NHL organizations, including the Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues, Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets, Nashville Predators, Arizona Coyotes, and Chicago Blackhawks. After completing his time in North America, he signed with HC Lugano in August 2025 to continue his career overseas.
Early Life and Background
Zachary Michael Sanford was born on November 9, 1994, in Salem, Massachusetts. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to Manchester, New Hampshire, where he grew up and developed his early passion for hockey. He attended Pinkerton Academy, a well-known high school with a strong athletics program in the region.
During the 2011–12 season at Pinkerton Academy, Sanford emerged as one of the most dominant high school players in New Hampshire. He led the team to a Division 1 state championship while scoring 36 goals and finishing with 69 points. His performance earned him the New Hampshire High School Player of the Year award, an honor that helped him secure his next opportunity in competitive junior hockey.
Following high school, Sanford joined the Islanders Hockey Club of the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL), where he posted 36 points in 37 games. While playing for the Islanders, he also committed to play collegiate hockey for the Boston College Eagles men’s ice hockey program, beginning what would become a successful path toward the NHL.
Path to Hockey
Sanford entered Boston College for the 2014–15 season and quickly became a contributor for the Eagles in NCAA Division I hockey. He scored his first collegiate goal on November 14, 2014, against Michigan State in a 3–2 victory. That season, he finished tied for fourth on the team with 17 assists, totaling 24 points across 38 games.
In his sophomore year with Boston College in 2015–16, Sanford elevated his offensive production, recording 39 points in 40 games and helping the team reach the Frozen Four. His strong two-year collegiate performance convinced NHL scouts that he was ready to turn professional. On July 11, 2016, Sanford signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals, officially launching his professional career.
Zach Sanford Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
Sanford made an immediate impression at the Capitals’ training camp and earned a spot on Washington’s opening night roster for the 2016–17 season. He made his NHL debut on October 13, 2016, against the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. After a brief stint with the Capitals’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hershey Bears, he was recalled to the NHL on February 10, 2017.
The following night, Sanford scored his first career NHL goal against the Anaheim Ducks. After collecting one goal and one assist in 26 games with Washington, he was traded to the St. Louis Blues on February 27, 2017, as part of the package that brought defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk to the Capitals. Sanford quickly adjusted to his new team and scored his first Blues goal on March 16, 2017, against the San Jose Sharks in a 4–1 win.
St. Louis Blues Breakthrough (2017–2021)
Sanford’s early time with the Blues was interrupted by a dislocated shoulder during training camp in 2017. He had surgery and missed much of the 2017–18 season before being activated in February 2018. After recovering, he returned to the NHL and worked to establish himself as a reliable depth forward.
The 2018–19 season marked Sanford’s true breakthrough. After spending time with the Blues’ AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, he was recalled on October 16, 2018, due to injuries within the Blues’ lineup. As the team battled through a tough stretch, Sanford remained steady and ended the regular season playing in 60 games with 20 points. He was part of the Blues roster that qualified for the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs and met the Boston Bruins in the Finals. Sanford scored his only goal of the postseason during Game 7, contributing to the Blues’ first Stanley Cup championship in their 52-year history.
In the 2019–20 season, Sanford signed a two-year extension and produced some of the most memorable offensive performances of his career. On November 21, 2019, he scored four goals against the Vegas Golden Knights in a 6–5 loss, becoming the first Blues player in more than five years to record four goals in a single game. He also added four points in a game on November 22 and a three-point game on February 26, 2020, demonstrating the offensive potential he possessed when given consistent playing time.
Ottawa Senators and Winnipeg Jets Era (2021–2022)
After the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, in which Sanford scored 16 points in 52 games, he signed a one-year contract with the Blues on August 4, 2021. However, on September 25, 2021, he was traded to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for forward Logan Brown and a conditional fourth-round pick.
With the Senators out of playoff contention and Sanford in the final season of his contract, he was traded to the Winnipeg Jets for a 2022 fifth-round pick at the NHL trade deadline on March 21, 2022. He played 30 games with the Jets, scoring four points, but Winnipeg ultimately missed the postseason that year.
Nashville Predators and Arizona Coyotes Era (2022–2024)
As a free agent, Sanford signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Nashville Predators on July 15, 2022. His time in Nashville was short-lived, however, as he was placed on waivers on November 22, 2022, and assigned to the Predators’ AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.
On July 14, 2023, Sanford signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Arizona Coyotes. After being placed on waivers and going unclaimed, he started the 2023–24 season with Arizona’s AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners. He was recalled by the Coyotes on October 23, 2023, due to injuries, and played 11 games with Arizona, recording two assists before being placed on waivers again on January 5, 2024.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2024–2025)
Sanford was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Blackhawks on January 6, 2024, and made his debut the following night in a 4–3 victory over the Calgary Flames. He registered his first point with Chicago by assisting on Colin Blackwell’s game-winning goal in the third period. Over 18 games with the Blackhawks, he recorded four assists before being assigned to the team’s AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, on March 15, 2024.
Following the 2023–24 season, Sanford signed a one-year, two-way contract with Chicago on May 28, 2024. After going unclaimed on waivers, he was assigned to Rockford for the 2024–25 season, marking the end of his two-year tenure with the Blackhawks organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a left winger standing 6 feet 4 inches and weighing about 203 pounds, Sanford brings size, reach, and a physical presence to the forward group. He has shown the ability to contribute offensively when given a consistent role, demonstrated by his rare four-goal performance against the Vegas Golden Knights in 2019. Sanford has typically been deployed as a bottom-six forward who can play with energy along the boards and chip in secondary scoring.
Notable Events and Milestones
Sanford’s career highlight came in 2019, when he won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues and scored a goal in the decisive Game 7 against the Boston Bruins. He also recorded a memorable four-goal game against the Vegas Golden Knights on November 21, 2019, becoming the first Blues player in more than five years to achieve that feat. His NHL debut on October 13, 2016, against the Pittsburgh Penguins and his first NHL goal against the Anaheim Ducks in February 2017 were also important early milestones in his career.
Zach Sanford Career Wins
Zachary Michael Sanford’s most significant team achievement is the Stanley Cup championship he won with the St. Louis Blues in 2019. Beyond that, he has not claimed additional major professional titles, but he has produced several notable individual performances, including a four-goal game and multiple multi-point outings during his time with the Blues.
NHL Highlights
Across his NHL career, Sanford has played for the Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues, Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets, Nashville Predators, Arizona Coyotes, and Chicago Blackhawks. His first NHL goal came against the Anaheim Ducks on February 11, 2017, and his most memorable individual performance came on November 21, 2019, when he scored four goals against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Other Wins and Performances
Before turning professional, Sanford led Pinkerton Academy to a Division 1 state championship in 2011–12 and was named New Hampshire High School Player of the Year. He also helped the Boston College Eagles reach the Frozen Four during his sophomore season in 2015–16, further establishing himself as a reliable contributor in competitive environments.
Zach Sanford Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Sanford was born and raised in a family that moved from Salem, Massachusetts, to Manchester, New Hampshire, during his early childhood. While his parents’ names have not been publicly confirmed, his personal life was significantly affected in 2018 when his father passed away, causing him to miss time at the start of the 2018–19 NHL season.
Personal Life
Sanford keeps much of his personal life private, and limited public information is available regarding his relationships or family beyond his parents. His transition to European hockey in 2025 with HC Lugano reflects a willingness to continue his career internationally after spending most of his professional life in North America.
2025 Season Performance
After completing the 2024–25 season split between the Chicago Blackhawks and their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, Sanford reached the end of his contract and entered free agency. On August 25, 2025, he signed a one-year deal with HC Lugano of the Swiss National League, beginning a new chapter in his professional career overseas.
His move to Switzerland marks a significant change of scenery after nearly a decade in North American professional hockey. Competing in the National League will expose Sanford to a different style of play and a new set of teammates, while offering him an opportunity to take on a meaningful role with his new club.
As Sanford adapts to European hockey, his experience from seven NHL organizations and a Stanley Cup championship with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 positions him as a seasoned professional entering the 2025–26 season with HC Lugano.