AHL San Jose Barracuda

Barracuda Recall Three Players from Allen Americans

Published on January 18, 2021 under American Hockey League (AHL)
San Jose Barracuda News Release


San Jose, Ca - The San Jose Barracuda (@SJBarracuda), proud AHL (@TheAHL) affiliate of the San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) along with general manager Joe Will announced today that the team has recalled forwards Joe Garreffa and Jake McGrew (@McgrewJake) and goaltender Zachary Sawchenko (@Chunko_31) from the Allen Americans (@AllenAmericans).

Garreffa, 21, currently ranks tied for third in the ECHL (@ECHL) in points (13), tied for sixth in goals (6), and ranks first among all league skaters in points-per-game (1.18) among players who have appeared in at least 11 games.

In a shortened 2019-20 season, the Toronto, Ontario, native finished seventh in the OHL (@OHLHockey) in points with 90 (36 goals, 54 assists), sixth in plus/minus (+48), and tied for third in points-per-game (1.82) as a member of the Ottawa 67's (@Ottawa67sHockey).

Over a five-year career in the OHL, with Ottawa and the Kitchener Rangers (@OHLRangers), the five-foot-seven, 176-pounder totaled 315 points (108 goals, 207 assists), 34 penalty minutes, and a plus-13 rating.

The Barracuda signed Garreffa to an AHL contract on May 11, 2020.

McGrew, 21, scored his first two professional goals in his pro debut on Dec. 12, 2020, in a game between the Americans and Tulsa Oilers. It was his first game action since suffering a season-ending ACL tear on Oct. 6, 2019, in a WHL (@TheWHL) game between the Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) and Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds). In total, McGew appeared in 11 games with the Americans, notching 11 points (six goals, two assists) and a plus-eight rating. His six goals currently rank tied for second in the ECHL.

Over his four-year career in the WHL, the Orange, California, native skated in 132 games with the Chiefs, collecting 100 points (55 goals, 45 assists), 72 penalty minutes, and a plus-eight rating.

The five-foot-11, 190-pounder was originally selected by the Sharks in the 2017 NHL Draft (sixth round, 159th overall).

Sawchenko, 23, appeared in seven games for the Americans, going 5-2-0 with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage.

Over parts of two seasons, Sawchenko has boasted a record of 13-4-3 with the Americans in 20 appearances, with a 2.42 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage, along with two shutouts. In 2019-20, his first at the pro level, Sawchenko split time between the ECHL and AHL, going 6-4-2 with the Barracuda in 13 games, posting a 2.87 goals-against average, .911 save percentage, and a shutout. Prior to the pros, the six-foot-one, 185-pound Sawchenko spent two seasons at the University of Alberta, where he went 28-4-1 with a 1.74 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage. In 2017-18, Sawchenko led the Golden Bears to a USports University Cup Championship.

During his junior career, Sawchenko was a teammate of Sharks prospects Noah Gregor and Jayden Halbgewachs with the Moose Jaw Warriors (@MJWARRIORS) where he was twice named to the WHL (East) First All-Star Team.

The Barracuda originally signed the Calgary, Alberta, Canada, native to a two-year AHL contract on March 26, 2019.

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