Visit HockeySask.ca
Player
Cory Sarich
Raised in Bladworth, Sask., Cory Sarich had a remarkable journey from a young defenceman to an accomplished NHLer with an illustrious professional career. His upbringing in Saskatchewan laid the foundation for a lasting mark on the world of hockey.
In minor hockey, he honed his skills with the Saskatoon Contacts in the Saskatchewan Male Under-18 AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL), amassing 37 points in 65 games during two productive campaigns from 1993 to 1995. Sarich was even named the top defenceman of the league for his blue-line efforts during the 1994-95 season.
He joined the Team Saskatchewan high-performance program and helped the group capture the province’s only gold medal in boys’ hockey at the 1995 Canada Winter Games in Grande Prairie, Alta.
Sarich would continue his development in the Western Hockey League, where he spent roughly 2.5 seasons (1995-98) with the Saskatoon Blades and concluded his junior career with the Seattle Thunderbirds. Sarich's ascent through the professional ranks commenced with his selection, 27th overall, in the second round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. His impressive 15-year NHL career featured stops with the Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, Calgary Flames, and Colorado Avalanche. The pinnacle of his career came in 2004 when he hoisted the Stanley Cup after the Lightning defeated the Flames in Game 7, marking a triumphant bookmark on his illustrious resume.
In total, Sarich graced the NHL in 969 regular-season games, contributing significantly to his teams’ bluelines and also amassing 158 points. Additionally, he added seven more points in 57 NHL playoff games.
A proud representative of his country, Sarich donned the Canadian jersey twice at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in 1997 and 1998, winning gold in 1997 and further solidifying his reputation as a distinguished defenceman.
Sarich's journey from a budding talent in Saskatchewan to a celebrated NHL defenceman exemplifies his enduring dedication to the game and his home province.