Raymond Sawada
| Raymond Sawada | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Sawada playing with the Texas Stars in 2012 | |||
| Born |
February 19, 1985 Richmond, British Columbia | ||
| Died |
April 10, 2023 (aged 38) Richmond, British Columbia | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | ||
| Weight | 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb) | ||
| Position | Right wing | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for |
Dallas Stars Tappara Belfast Giants Oji Eagles | ||
| NHL draft |
52nd overall, 2004 Dallas Stars | ||
| Playing career | 2008–2016 | ||
Raymond Masao Sawada (February 19, 1985 – April 10, 2023) was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger. He played a total of eleven games over three seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), all with the Dallas Stars. He also played for Tappara of the Liiga, Belfast Giants of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL), and the Oji Eagles of the Asia League Ice Hockey (ALH).
Career
[change | change source]Before playing in the NHL, Sawada played parts of 1 season with the Nanaimo Clippers of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and 4 years with the Cornell Big Red where he was the co-captain.
Sawada was drafted 52nd overall in the second round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. After his time with Cornell was over, Sawada joined the Stars organization. He would start his career with their AHL-affiliate team Iowa Stars.
On February 19, 2009, Sawada made his NHL debut in a 4–2 victory against the Edmonton Oilers. In the same game, Sawada would also score his first NHL goal.[1]
On July 16, 2010, Sawada would sign a one-year; two way contract with the Stars.[2] Sawada signed another one-year, two-way contract on July 27, 2011 to stay with the Stars.[3]
In 2013, he would leave North America to join Tappara of the Liiga.[4] He played 29 games with them.
On August 14, 2014, Sawada headed to Ireland to play for the Belfast Giants the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL).[5] He played 52 games with them.
In 2015, Sawada would travel to Japan and play for the Oji Eagles of the Asia League Ice Hockey (ALH).[6] He would retire after the season.
Personal life and death
[change | change source]After retiring from professional ice hockey, he became a firefighter in Burnaby, British Columbia.[7]
On April 10, 2023, Sawada was playing in a recreational ice hockey game when he suffered a fatal heart attack.[8] On November 16th, the Richmond Sockeye retired Sawada's jersey number. He played junior hockey with them.[9]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "Raymond Sawada and Fabian Brunnstrom lift Stars past Oilers". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Stars sign four". American Hockey League. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Sawada re-signs for Dallas Stars". Richmond News. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Clippers Confidential with Raymond Sawada". BCHL Network. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Belfast Giants sign Canadian winger Raymond Sawada". BBC Sport. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Additional Player Registration by Oji Eagles". Asia League Ice Hockey. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ↑ "B.C. firefighter and former NHLer Raymond Sawada dies at 38". National Post. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Former hockey pro Ray Sawada dies suddenly at B.C. rink". CBC News. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Sockeyes Honour Ray Sawada Nov. 16". CBC News. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
Other websites
[change | change source]- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
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