By: Blake Metiva
The Saginaw Spirit are set to retire former captain Brandon Saad’s number 22 on Feb. 23rd. Saad was a member of the Saginaw Spirit during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons. Saad was captain of the team during his second season.
Saad was a noted point scorer for the team. In his rookie season with Spirit, he put up 27 goals and 28 assists in 59 games during the regular-season. In the playoffs, Saad scored 3 goals and added 8 assists for a total of 11 points in 12 playoff games. After the season, Saad was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round as the 43rd overall pick.
In the 2011-12 season Saad excelled even further. He scored 34 goals and added 42 assists for 76 points during the season. He added 8 goals and 9 assists totaling 17 points in 12 playoff games. Saad was named a first team All-Star and would bring home the Ontario Hockey League’s William Hanley Trophy. It is awarded to the most sportsmanlike player in the league.
After his time in Saginaw, Saad would have a long career in the National Hockey League playing for: the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, and St. Louis Blues. He continues to play in the NHL. Saad was named to the NHL All-Rookie team in 2013, the NHL All-Star in 2016, and won the Stanley Cup twice with Chicago in 2013 and 2015. Saad has appeared in 830 regular-season NHL games and has 240 goals and 238 assists for a total of 478 points.
