TEMPE, Ariz. – Sun Devil Hockey senior defenseman Brinson Pasichnuk has become the second player in program history to agree to terms on an NHL contract, as he and the San Jose Sharks reached an agreement Monday. Pasichnuk will become the first Sun Devil to ink an NHL deal as a free agent.
The co-captain ranked third in points among national defensemen this season with 37 in 36 games, and second nationally in goals scored with 11. Pasichnuk was also the first and only Sun Devil in program history to reach the 100-career point milestone with 107 in his four-year career. He finished the 2019-20 season with 12 multi-point games, and was one of four national blue liners to record a hat trick.
"For four years, Brinson was our heartbeat. He could have gone anywhere he wanted and he chose to take a chance on ASU, and it has paid off for everyone," said head coach Greg Powers. "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."
As one of four seniors to play in all four, full Division I seasons, Pasichnuk came in as a highly-recruited defenseman and a projected NHL draft pick in 2016 and 2017. During his four-year career, he missed just one game which happened to be one of two match-ups with a Division III opponent -- thus never missing a Division I game.
After going undrafted, the Bonnyville, Alberta native improved each season, ranking among the top defensemen in a variety of statistical categories each of the last two seasons. Brinson also participated in four different NHL development camps, including Montreal, Minnesota, Arizona and most recently San Jose this past offseason.
He will depart ASU with a variety of program individual records, including games played (136), points (107), assists (68) along with No. 1 in every offensive category by a defenseman.
Pasichnuk will join former goaltender Joey Daccord as the only Sun Devils to sign NHL contracts after Daccord signed with the Ottawa Senators last season, who drafted him in 2015.
The co-captain ranked third in points among national defensemen this season with 37 in 36 games, and second nationally in goals scored with 11. Pasichnuk was also the first and only Sun Devil in program history to reach the 100-career point milestone with 107 in his four-year career. He finished the 2019-20 season with 12 multi-point games, and was one of four national blue liners to record a hat trick.
"For four years, Brinson was our heartbeat. He could have gone anywhere he wanted and he chose to take a chance on ASU, and it has paid off for everyone," said head coach Greg Powers. "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."
As one of four seniors to play in all four, full Division I seasons, Pasichnuk came in as a highly-recruited defenseman and a projected NHL draft pick in 2016 and 2017. During his four-year career, he missed just one game which happened to be one of two match-ups with a Division III opponent -- thus never missing a Division I game.
After going undrafted, the Bonnyville, Alberta native improved each season, ranking among the top defensemen in a variety of statistical categories each of the last two seasons. Brinson also participated in four different NHL development camps, including Montreal, Minnesota, Arizona and most recently San Jose this past offseason.
He will depart ASU with a variety of program individual records, including games played (136), points (107), assists (68) along with No. 1 in every offensive category by a defenseman.
Pasichnuk will join former goaltender Joey Daccord as the only Sun Devils to sign NHL contracts after Daccord signed with the Ottawa Senators last season, who drafted him in 2015.