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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Spirit to Raise Brandon Saad's #22 to Dow Event Center Rafters

January 16, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Saginaw, Mich. - The Saginaw Spirit hockey club is pleased to announce the jersey retirement ceremony of a franchise icon in Brandon Saad. His #22 will be raised to the rafters at the Dow Event Center on February 23rd before the Spirit host the North Bay Battalion.

"The Saginaw Spirit organization is so proud to retire Brandon Saad's #22," said Spirit President and Managing Partner Craig Goslin. "His high-end skill, team-first mentality, high character and championship work ethic are all contagious to those around him. He has earned this honor, and we look forward to having him back in Saginaw for this thrilling occasion."

The two-time Stanley Cup Champion was originally drafted 10th overall by the Spirit in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection. From 2010-2012, he skated in 103 games in Saginaw and totaled 131 points (61G, 70A) during the regular season. During his second season, the Pittsburgh, Penn. native was named the 12th captain in team history. His play that year (34G-42A-76P) earned him a spot on the OHL's First All-Star Team along with the William Hanley Trophy as the league's Most Sportsmanlike Player.

Saad also cemented himself as a premier playoff performer with the Spirit. His 29 points (11G, 18A) in 24 games place him second all-time in Spirit postseason scoring, behind only his former teammate Josh Shalla (12G-18A-30P).

He was selected 43rd overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. After a stint with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League to start the 2012-2013 season, Saad solidified his place as a full-time NHLer with Chicago. He scored his first NHL goal on February 9th, 2013, and would go on to post 27 points (10G, 17A) in his 46-game rookie campaign.

After adding a goal and five assists in the 2013 playoffs, Saad lifted the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks that summer. His performance landed him a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team and as a finalist for the Calder Trophy.

Saad added another Stanley Cup to his trophy case in 2015 with Chicago, and his first NHL All-Star Game appearance the following season. Since then, he's made stops in Columbus, Chicago again, Colorado, and his current playing home of St. Louis. Saad currently has 18 points in 41 games this season with the Blues.

In his NHL career to date, Saad has appeared in 822 regular-season NHL contests and amassed 475 points (237G, 238A). Through eight trips to the postseason, he's posted 27 goals and 28 assists in 103 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

The entire Spirit organization is thrilled to welcome Brandon and his family back to Saginaw for this occasion.

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