(Photo: Susan Wong/WCSN)
Arizona State senior defenseman Brinson Pasichnuk agreed to terms on a two-year, entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks on Monday.
Upon signing his contract with the Sharks, Pasichnuk will become the first ASU player to ink an NHL deal as a free agent and the second player in program history — joining goaltender Joey Daccord — to agree to terms on an NHL deal.
With the current NHL season suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pasichnuck may not be able to begin playing under his new deal until the 2020-2021 season. However, if the 2019-2020 campaign resumes, he will be eligible to play right away.
“What really drew me to San Jose was the character of their management and coaching staff,” Pasichnuk said on Wednesday. “I really feel like there is a great opportunity there to get some NHL experience.”
As a senior, Pasichnuk scored a career-best 37 points in 36 games which ranked third in the nation among defensemen. His 11 goals in his final season with the Sun Devils ranked second in the country among blue liners.
Over the course of his four year career at ASU, Pasichnuk accumulated 107 total points, making him the only player in program history to have reached the century-mark in total points. His 39 career goals rank first among all ASU defensemen and he holds the program record for career assists (68) and games-played (136).
Pasichnuk also scored the program’s first NCAA postseason goal during the 2018-2019 NCAA tournament against Quinnipiac.
In addition to his statistical dominance, the two-year captain carried an important vocal leadership role on and off the ice.
“Brinson is all heart,” ASU head coach Greg Powers said. “He can play in any situation and is an energizer bunny that can do it all. I think fans are really going to appreciate his work ethic more than anything.”
Powers compared Pasichnuk’s style of play to that of Boston Bruins defensemen Torey Krug and Connor Clifton.
“He’s viewed as undersized, but don’t tell him that,” Powers said. “If you’re going to get in a battle of any physicality with him, my money is on him. He is as strong as an ox. His explosiveness and north-south burst is unbelievable. He just wants to win and he’ll do it at all costs. You can’t teach what he has.”
Last summer, Brinson Pasichnuk attended San Jose’s development camp along with his brother and fellow ASU player, senior forward Steenn Pasichnuk, and established a strong connection to Sharks interim head coach Bob Boughner.
“Bob is a great guy,” Pasichuk said. “We had a really good conservsation on the first night of camp. He started talking to me and he really showed me that he actually knew who I was. I’m really excited to continue to work with him.”
As Pasichnuk pursues his NHL dreams in San Jose, Powers acknowledged that the defenseman from Alberta, Canada, will be missed at Oceanside Ice Arena in Tempe.
“For four years, Brinson was our heartbeat,” Powers said. “He could have gone anywhere he wanted and he chose to take a chance on ASU, and it has paid off for everyone. We wouldn’t be where we are without him, and personally, I can’t wait to see him start his career in the NHL. We’re all so proud of him.”
