Sanford locked in until 2028

Quality, consistency, physical presence and team-first attitude.

These qualities have allowed Zach Sanford to stand out in his first twenty-eight games with Hockey Club Lugano. And the stats speak for themselves: 28 games, 8 goals, 15 assists, +11, and the PostFinance Top Scorer jersey.

With an impressive résumé - 359 NHL games, 112 points and a 2019 Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues - the 31-year-old American center joined Lugano at the end of August after spending recent seasons between the NHL and the AHL.

In just three months, the Salem, Massachusetts native has fully confirmed his qualities, combining calm, intelligence and the ability to elevate his teammates’ play. This has quickly earned him the appreciation of the coaching staff and the affection of the fans.

Now, to the joy of all HCL supporters, Sanford has chosen to continue his European journey in Lugano: he has signed a two-year contract through April 2028, remaining a key piece of the team’s structure.

GM Janick Steinmann commented:

“Zach is one of the most complete two-way forwards in the National League. He can stand out every night, playing in all situations with extremely high execution quality. His personality is ideal for our group, and I’m thrilled he has decided to stay in Lugano. He will be a key player for our team.”

Zach Sanford will be available to the media this morning at the pregame press conference at the Cornèr Arena at 12:30.