Three Sun Devils for Life went through their respective NHL training camps over the last two weeks, which featured approximately 40 players in each camp. On Tuesday and Wednesday, all 31 teams made their final cuts down to the NHL mandated 23-player roster, along with an additional four to six players on a taxi squad. The taxi squad, which was implemented in 2020-21 to help with COVID-19 protocols, will be with the NHL team, practice with the NHL, and travel with the NHL team but they are not counted against the roster of the NHL team.

Joey Daccord with the Ottawa Senators, Brinson Pasichnuk with the San Jose Sharks, and Josh Maniscalco with the Pittsburgh Penguins all learned where they'd begin the 2020-21 season, which begins Wednesday, Jan. 13 for 10 of the league's 31 teams.
 
"We're so proud of those three guys and their professional futures," said head coach Greg Powers. "They helped lay the foundation for what we are today, and will be the first names mentioned and pointed to as examples for future Sun Devils. We look forward to following their journeys this season."
 
The Sun Devils' first NHL player, netminder Joey Daccord, learned he will serve as the team's 3rd goaltender and start the season on Ottawa's taxi squad. Daccord signed a three-year contract with the team back in October after posting a 15-6-3 record, .915 save percentage and 2.61 goals against average with Belleville (AHL) in 2019-20. He started last season in the ECHL with Brampton, going 7-5-0 with a .901 save percentage and 2.85 goals against average. Read the recent Q&A he did with Sun Devil Athletics.
 
Recent graduate Brinson Pasichnuk set numerous program records as he wrapped up his four-year ASU stint, ultimately becoming the Sun Devils' first free agent signee when he inked a deal with the San Jose Sharks in April 2020. Pasichnuk was told Wednesday he will also start the season on the Sharks' taxi squad. The Bonnyville native was nearly a point-per-game defensemen in the NCAA, totaling 107 points in 136 games played.

Daccord and Pasichnuk become the first Sun Devils in program history to be named to NHL rosters to start a season. 
 
Pasichnuk's defensive partner, Josh Maniscalco, decided to leave ASU two years early after receiving a three-year, entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins in August 2020. On Tuesday, he was assigned to the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. A Pennsylvania native himself, Maniscalco totaled 52 points and 15 goals in 71 games played.

Starting Training Camp

Fellow recent graduate and brother of Brinson, Steenn Pasichnuk, began training camp with the San Jose Barracuda -- the AHL affiliate of the Sharks -- on Monday, Jan. 11 in Scottsdale. Steenn is anticipated to begin the 2020-21 season with the Barracuda, who begin preseason competition on Tuesday, Jan. 19.