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Former Winnipeg Jets Forward Signs Overseas Contract After 9 Seasons in North America

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Tom Banks | Last updated Aug 25, 2025 12:20 PM ET

Zach Sanford played a season for the Winnipeg Jets back in 2022, and now the 30-year old veteran has left the NHL and North America for a deal in Europe.

Zach Sanford came into the NHL as a very promising winger, and while he posted a career high of 30 points with the St. Louis Blues in 2019/20, he has struggled to find a role in the NHL since.

Throughout his seven year career, Sanford has played in Washington, St. Louis, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Nashville, Arizona and Chicago, last playing NHL games in 2023/24 when he appeared in 18 games with the Blackhawks.

Sanford departs the NHL for a deal in Switzerland

After playing for the AHL's Rockford Ice Hogs this past season, Sanford clearly believed he was being underutilized, and now has officially announced his departure from North America.

The former second-round pick is now officially departing the NHL and the AHL, as he has signed a one-year deal with HC Lugano in the National League, the top league in Switzerland and one of the most respected in the hockey world.

There, the 30-year old will be hoping for more consistent opportunities, and at 30-years of age, if he can start producing once more, there's time for him to once again find a role in the NHL.

The former Winnipeg Jets forward has always had the talent to compete, but unfortunately he's just lacked production at the NHL level, with 104 points in 334 NHL games thus far, and now, time will tell whether or not he can produce in Europe and potentially make his way back to the NHL in the coming years after signing the one-year deal.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

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