Abbotsford Canucks: Max Sasson Relishes the Biggest Goal of His Career
Max Sasson’s journey to professional hockey has been anything but conventional. Undrafted and previously released by a USHL junior team, Sasson defied the odds and wrote a career-defining moment on Sunday when he netted the winning goal that propelled his AHL team to the Calder Cup Final.
His perseverance alone made for an inspiring story.
Determined to forge a path in pro hockey, Sasson’s efforts have already included an NHL debut and a first goal with the Vancouver Canucks earlier this season. But his latest feat adds a thrilling chapter to his narrative.
The likeable centre for the Abbotsford Canucks had struggled offensively during the AHL Western Conference Final. However, in Game 6 against the Texas Stars, he delivered when it counted. Midway through the third period, Sasson deflected a shot from Akito Hirose to break a 2-2 tie, igniting the home crowd into jubilation. A late empty-net goal by Arshdeep Bains, his second of the game, sealed the victory and booked the Canucks’ place in the best-of-seven Calder Cup Final against the Charlotte Checkers, starting Friday in North Carolina.
Sasson’s emotional celebration after the goal highlighted its significance — it was more memorable than his NHL debut on November 23, 2024, where he notched an assist, or even his first NHL goal on December 14. How important was Sunday’s goal?
“It’s got to be at the top,” said Sasson, 24. “I’ve been in a bit of a slump, taking lots of shots but not scoring. So for one to finally go in at such a crucial time felt amazing. It was a big moment for the team. We’re hard to beat when we have a lead in the third thanks to our structure.”
The Canucks dominated the third period, outshooting the Stars 17-4. Their offensive pressure made a go-ahead goal feel like a matter of time.
Sasson’s game-winner — his first in seven games and fourth of the playoffs — was a textbook tip-in, showcasing a skill he’s honed throughout the season, where he scored 13 goals in 41 games.
“I just let loose,” Sasson said about his celebration. “It felt like a huge weight lifted. The crowd was electric — it was unbelievable. I kept looking around thinking, ‘This is incredible.’”
Caught up in the excitement, Sasson was tempted to touch the Western Conference Championship trophy — a symbolic no-go for players with sights on the Calder Cup. Instead, he settled for the team photo.
“Chase (Wouters, the captain) reminded us not to touch it,” Sasson laughed. “But I really wanted to. I haven’t won much, so I kind of faked like I was going to just to tease him. But now, we’re aiming for the big one.”
This is only the second time a Canucks AHL affiliate has made it to the finals since 2015, when the Utica Comets — led by Travis Green — reached the championship round, ultimately falling to the Manchester Monarchs in five games.
“We’ll be ready for Charlotte,” Sasson added. “But moments like these are special and rare. Watching what our guys did in the third — we all believed the goal was coming. That belief in the locker room is powerful.”
Reaching this stage may have once seemed unlikely for Sasson. As a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, he’s focused on making the most of each opportunity. His belief in his NHL potential began during his final USHL season with Waterloo and deepened at Western Michigan University.
“I think that’s when I truly started to believe I could make it,” Sasson said. “Skating with more talented players and pushing myself helped me realize I could do this.”
Western Michigan proved to be an ideal fit for Sasson, especially under the leadership of head coach Pat Ferschweiler, a longtime mentor with a reputation for professionalism and a structured playing style.
Sasson thrived under Ferschweiler’s guidance, finishing the 2022-23 college season with 42 points (15 goals, 27 assists) in 38 games, centering the top line and ranking 13th in NCAA scoring at 1.11 points per game — enough to grab the attention of the Canucks.
Ferschweiler’s coaching philosophy, shaped by time with the Detroit Red Wings under Jeff Blashill and work with U.S. youth national teams, left a strong impression on Sasson.
“He’s extremely professional,” Sasson said of his college coach. “Everything is efficient — short, detailed meetings that get right to the point. We played a smart, low-risk style — it was a pro-level approach. And the stories he shared about Zetterberg and Datsyuk were inspiring. I learned so much.”
That coaching style mirrors Manny Malhotra’s, the rising star behind Abbotsford’s bench, who is now considered a contender for NHL head coaching jobs. In fact, after the Dallas Stars dismissed Pete DeBoer, Malhotra was listed as a top candidate to replace him — though the team’s future will also hinge on the fate of five key unrestricted free agents.
While Sasson’s career is still unfolding, this playoff run marks a significant high point. If the Canucks continue their momentum and capture the Calder Cup, his goal on Sunday will go down as the spark that lit the fire.
