Max Sasson had a fruitful experience at the center ice position with the Abbotsford Canucks during his debut professional season. Now, as he enters his second year, he aims to capitalize on the lessons learned and further enhance his accomplishments.

With his two-way versatility, the 23-year-old center, who is left-handed, enhances his game by facilitating smoother breakouts from the defensive zone and propelling linemates on odd-man rushes in the neutral zone.

Reflecting on the past season, Sasson’s foremost thought is the immense amount of hockey he played, which starkly contrasts with his time in the NCAA.

Sasson acknowledged that his first full pro year would involve a significant increase in the amount of hockey he would be playing. Comparing it to his college experience of only 30 games, he estimated playing around 70-80 games due to preseason, the Young Stars tournament, the regular season, and playoffs. He anticipated that this would put a strain on his body and also provide new insights into the mental challenges of the game.

In the summer of 2023, Sasson dedicated his time and effort to enhancing his physical abilities. After a brief period in the AHL following his departure from the NCAA, he was determined to build strength prior to embarking on his inaugural full season as a professional.

He soon realized that while the physical aspect is crucial, the mental aspect holds equal importance when enduring the challenges and hardships that accompany a professional season.

I have come to understand the significance of forming strong connections with both teammates and coaches in order to make every day at the rink a pleasant experience. Each game presents a unique scenario. Sometimes, despite numerous opportunities, your line may not succeed in scoring. Whereas in other games, you may only have a few chances but manage to score on all of them. It is crucial to maintain a steady and composed mindset, knowing that over time, the ups and downs of the season will even out as long as you continue to put in the effort.

Sasson quickly discovered a boost in his confidence upon transitioning from the NCAA to the AHL, acknowledging the proficiency of Abbotsford Canucks defensemen in their puck-moving skills. He noticed that receiving accurate, tape-to-tape passes made navigating the neutral zone a much smoother process.

Sasson’s remarkable achievement in his rookie season in the AHL cannot be overlooked, as he finished fifth in scoring on the Canucks. With 18 goals and 24 assists, he accumulated a total of 42 points in 56 games.

Max Sasson with a dash and a pass, and Aidan McDonough with the finish! pic.twitter.com/3vN7CAyBwm

— Canucks Insider (@CanucksInsider) April 3, 2024

Sasson believes that his skating prowess is his greatest asset. Once he starts gliding across zones, his hockey intelligence takes over, enabling him to identify the next move.

Max Sasson with the steal and score.

Assist to Linus Karlsson. pic.twitter.com/rUkz1eX2ZU

— Faber (@ChrisFaber39) November 12, 2023

After completing his 2023-24 season, Sasson met with Daniel and Henrik Sedin for his exit meeting. The twins commended Sasson on his impressive performance during his rookie AHL season, stating that he has established a solid foundation. They emphasized that with dedicated effort in the offseason, there is a possibility for Sasson to play NHL games in the upcoming year.

Sasson was highly motivated by this, while the Sedins emphasized the significance of focusing on strength and conditioning like a professional in order for him to unlock his full potential in his game.

Sasson expressed his main objective for the summer as working diligently to prove himself at the training camp and secure a spot in the NHL next season. Comparing to last year’s contentment with merely attending the NHL training camp, he now exudes immense confidence and believes he can present a compelling argument to earn opportunities to play in NHL matches.

My focus, should I return to Abbotsford, is solely on improving myself and becoming even more dominant in the areas that RJ and the coaching staff want me to excel in. They emphasize wall battles, offensive zone puck protection, and maintaining strength and mobility throughout the entire year. I am fully prepared to do whatever it takes to prove that I deserve to play in NHL games.

Linus Karlsson scores his 19th of the season from another great play and assist from Max Sasson.#BuildingBlue pic.twitter.com/X4brjiq5BV

— Canucks Insider (@CanucksInsider) April 3, 2024

Having completed a full professional season, Sasson aims to shoulder more responsibilities and emerge as one of the young leaders within the club.

Sasson expressed his desire to embrace a greater leadership position, stating, “I believe it would be incredibly fulfilling to assume more responsibility within the team.” Reflecting on his previous role, he acknowledged, “While I wouldn’t classify myself as a leader last year, I believe I earned the respect of my teammates, which allowed me to speak up during intermissions. I gained valuable insights on leadership from individuals such as Matt Irwin and Christian Wolanin.”

In addition to his hockey skills, Sasson is prepared to make significant contributions to the social media department of the Abbotsford Canucks for yet another year. Whenever the social media team required a player for a video, Sasson consistently stepped up and fulfilled his role, and he will carry on being in front of the camera for the upcoming 2024-25 season.

The Do's and Don'ts of Teddy Bear Toss

Follow Max, Marc, Aidan and Josh as they give you a step-by-step breakdown of the perfect toss on Saturday night

️| https://t.co/IPjYm2siSf pic.twitter.com/5GVfUFHbke

— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) November 28, 2023

I believe the social media team truly enjoys involving me in their acting tasks. It’s great fun for me to participate in those activities. Together, we will brainstorm some fantastic concepts for the upcoming season. Canucks fans can anticipate more amusing content heading your way.

Aatu Räty or R2-D2?

It can be very confusing sometimes ‍♂️

We'll see you on Saturday for Star Wars Night

️| https://t.co/epfdoDc0jO pic.twitter.com/0HQAvlSKew

— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) December 8, 2023