Another Sun Devil Hockey alum has turned pro.

Former Arizona State defenseman and captain Brinson Pasichnuk made his San Jose Sharks debut Wednesday night, becoming the first Sun Devil defenseman in program history to play in the National Hockey League.

Pasichnuk skated 8:37, delivered a hit, and took a minor penalty in a 3-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes at SAP Center in San Jose, California.

“I’ve dreamt of this day my whole life,” Pasichnuk said. “It came true today, and in the back of your mind, you never know if it’s ever going to happen. This is one of the coolest days of my life. I’m just so grateful. I’m thankful for God for giving me this opportunity.”

As the Coyotes threatened late in the game amidst the playoff push, Pasichnuk’s ice time was reduced for the favorable pairings with Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson.

Regardless, San Jose head coach Bob Boughner was pleased with Pasichnuk’s performance.

“I thought he kept it simple,” Boughner said. “He competes hard, as you can see. His puck movement was needed. It was clean. He just kept everything in front of him. For his first game, it was really all you can ask."

Pasichnuk described the opportunity as a “full circle” moment, facing Arizona, who dropped back-to-back games against a young Sharks squad.

The 23-year-old defenseman skated all four years with the up-and-coming Arizona State Div. I program where he helped the Sun Devils reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time during the 2018-2019 season.

The native of Bonnyville, Alberta, Canada, set a new program record for points (37) and assists (26) by a defenseman in a Sun Devil season in addition to leaving ASU ranked No. 1 in games played (136), points (107), and assists (68).

“This is just a huge credit to Brinson and his determination to make his day happen,” Arizona State head coach Greg Powers said. “He had a lot of people tell him when he took a chance on ASU that this day would never come. Well, it’s here, and there will be a lot more of these days for him and many other Sun Devils very soon.”

Although there was a limited capacity of fans in the building, Steenn Pasichnuk, Brinson’s brother, and Halle Pasichnuk, Brinson’s wife, were in attendance to watch Brinson don a teal No. 50 sweater for the first time as a Shark.

Brinson’s parents, Mike and Kathi Pasichnuk, watched from their home in Bonnyville. Powers couldn’t make the trip to the Bay Area, but he did turn on the TV to tune into Brinson’s debut.

“It was awesome!” Powers said after the game. “Tonight was all about Brinny (Brinson), and it was a great start for him.”

Brinson joined Ottawa Senators goaltender Joey Daccord as the second Sun Devil Hockey alumni to play in the NHL. Daccord made his Senators debut on April 4, 2019, against Buffalo. The seventh-round pick earned his first NHL win this season on March 14th, a 4-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

While Pasichnuk and Daccord continue to make their name at the professional level, Powers and the Sun Devils will continue to ‘Be the Tradition’ and pave the way for future pro players.

Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet has taken notice of Powers’ success and the ASU program’s impact on the Valley.

“It’s amazing how far the program has come,” Tocchet said. “ASU is starting to put some prospects in the NHL; I think it's just huge for the area. I like to see it grow even more. That ASU brand and jersey, you're starting to see it around town more.”

Wearing a grey sweatshirt with a pitchfork near his heart, Brinson explained prior to the game how and when he found out he was going to make his debut.

“Honestly, I kind of blacked out for a second, like, is this a dream?” Brinson said. “I've had dreams of this day in the past, and I always wake up in the morning and, 'Oh, it's just a dream.'"

“I went home and told my wife, and she almost started crying. It’s been a cool couple of days for sure.”

Brinson skated alongside defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic, who he watched growing up during his high school hockey days.

“That guy is an unreal defenseman,” Brinson said. “One of the best guys in the league. To think a few years down the road, I would make my NHL debut with him as my defensive partner; it sure helps my confidence knowing I have an experienced guy like that looking out after me.”

The Sharks have eight players on their roster of age 23 years old or younger in Wednesday’s game – Pasichnuk, Joachim Blichfeld, Noah Gregor, John Leonard, Nikolai Knyzhov, Mario Ferraro, Alexander True, and Josef Korenar.

Entering the 2020-2021 season, Brinson began the year with the Barracuda with his older brother. The left-shot defenseman has a goal and seven points in 29 games with San Jose’s American Hockey League affiliate.