The Washington Capitals have signed 21-year-old Boston College forward to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Monday. Financial details were not disclosed by the team.
The 6-foot-3, 2013 2nd round pick (#61 overall) put up 13 goals and 39 points for the Eagles last season on an impressive roster that fought its way to the Frozen Four, only to be felled in the semifinals.
Sanford is a good player who has grown during his time with Boston College and will have the opportunity to refine his offensive game on a fast, high-powered Capitals team, though he may spend the majority of the coming season playing with the Hersey Bears of the AHL.
The exit of Sanford is yet another blow for Boston College, who has lost seven (SEVEN!) players since the end of the season. They will enter the 2016-17 season without a single junior on their team.
Of non-graduating players on last year’s team, Ian McCoshen has signed with the Panthers, Alex Tuch and Adam Gilmour have signed with the Wild, Steve Santini and Miles Wood signed with the Devils, and goaltender Thatcher Demko has signed with the Canucks. They also had four departing seniors, including captain Teddy Doherty.
Boston College has a lot of talent remaining in players like Ryan Fitzgerald, Casey Fitzgerald and Colin White, but there’s no denying that the massive exodus to the NHL and AHL is going to leave a gaping hole for a team that was one of the nation’s best last year.
