Arizona State senior forward James Sanchez agreed to terms on a deal Sunday with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the American Hockey league affiliate of the New York Rangers.
“It was a moment you’re always working forward to,” Sanchez said in a press conference via Zoom on Tuesday. “It was exciting for me and my family… I think we were all just super excited for the next step.”
Sanchez is the fifth Sun Devil in the last year to sign a professional contract, joining Brinson Pasichnuk (San Jose Sharks/San Jose Barracuda), Josh Maniscalco (Pittsburgh Penguins/Wilkes-Barre Penguins), Steenn Pasichnuk (San Jose Barracuda) and Tyler Busch (Cincinnati Cyclones).
“We couldn't be more proud of James for earning this opportunity,” Arizona State head coach Greg Powers said. “We challenge every player who comes to our program to leave it better than they found, and James did just that. We look forward to supporting him through the next step in his hockey career.”
In his two seasons donning maroon and gold, the 23-year-old winger registered 15 goals and 41 assists in 62 games played, including a 40-point campaign during his first season, which set a single-season record in program history.
"Coming in, they just made it such a fun and easy two years here,” Sanchez said. “Even my roommates, it's tough leaving them, but they're excited for me, and I'll see them soon enough this summer. We'll always be in touch and lifelong friends."
Sanchez and the Sun Devils persevered a 26-game, all-road campaign during the 2020-2021 season where they embraced challenges in spending large periods away from the Valley and undertaking rigorous COVID-19 protocols to play in each game against the Big Ten conference.
“I'm not shocked we were able to grind through it and be the only team to do it,” Sanchez said. Everybody is tough physically and mentally, so everyone was prepared going into the uncertainty of the grind, but everyone was physically and mentally prepared for what was coming. There should be no shock that we went with the "Road Warriors" all year, and that's what we were.
“I would do this whole travel thing all over again just because it seemed like it was taking forever, but once you look back on it, it's a quick trip. It was so much fun."
The moment after he signed with the Wolf Pack, Sanchez received a plethora of texts and feel-good messages from family, friends, and teammates, including Sun Devil alumni currently at the professional level.
“Brinson and Maniscalco both reached out and gave me some tips,” Sanchez said. “Those are two guys who I can turn to if I needed help with anything.”
The Northbrook, Illinois native, skated two seasons with the Michigan Wolverines and a season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the United States Hockey League before finding his feet in Tempe.
During the shortened season, Sanchez was one of six Sun Devils to play in all 26 games where he centered the top line every night and matched well against opposing teams’ top units. The 6-foot-2, 188-pound forward tallied five goals and 16 points, including six power-play points.
On top of hockey, Sanchez earned his master’s degree in business while completing classwork and exams virtually on the road throughout the season.
“James accomplished what he set out to do,” Powers said. “It really is the right decision for him to start his pro career… We’re thankful for all of his contributions. He will always be one of us.”
