The Columbus Blue Jackets announced on Sunday the signing of goaltender Zach Sawchenko to a one-year, two-way contract for the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Sawchenko, aged 26, brings NHL experience from his time with the San Jose Sharks during the 2021-22 season, where he appeared in seven games, achieving a 1-2-0 record with a save percentage of .901 and a goals-against average (GAA) of 3.35.
In the AHL, Sawchenko has played 79 games across stints with the Abbotsford Canucks, Chicago Wolves, and San Jose Barracuda, amassing a 32-36-5 record with an .898 save percentage and a 3.11 GAA. His most recent season included a 4-1-0 record and a .924 SV% in six regular-season games with the Canucks, followed by a 2-4 record in six Calder Cup Playoff appearances.
His standout season was in 2022-23, where he posted a 17-18-3 record with an .895 SV% and a 3.10 GAA.
Before his AHL career, Sawchenko also spent time in the ECHL with the Allen Americans, playing 20 games and recording a 13-4-3 record with a 2.42 GAA and .928 SV% between 2019-20 and 2020-21.
Sawchenko’s hockey journey began in the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors from 2013-14 to 2016-17, where he played a total of 169 games, achieving an 88-65-16 record with a .908 SV% and 3.11 GAA. He was honored as a WHL Eastern Conference First Team All-Star in both the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons.
Transitioning to university hockey, Sawchenko played for the University of Alberta in the CIS from 2017-18 to 2018-19, contributing to the team’s University Cup championship in his first season.
In the 2023-24 NHL season, the Columbus Blue Jackets concluded with a 27-43-12 record, earning 66 points and finishing eighth in the Metropolitan Division. Goaltenders Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov played significant roles, with Merzlikins posting a 13-17-8 record, .897 SV%, and 3.45 GAA, while Tarasov achieved an 8-11-3 record with a .908 SV% and 3.18 GAA.
Offensively, Johnny Gaudreau led the team with 60 points, comprised of 12 goals and 48 assists.
