The overage shuffle is always tough for WHL teams. Sometimes they have to let people go whom they have worked with for years and whom they really value. That was the case in Red Deer when the Rebels waived 1999-born defenseman, Carson Sass.
The veteran of 202 WHL games was waived early enough in the offseason, though, that he had options.
One such option revealed itself in the Tri-City Americans.
“I got put on waivers. Brent (Sutter) called me. I think it was the July 30th deadline, and I got contacted by (Tri-City general manager) Bob (Tory). Then I went to camp, and it’s been good so far,” Sass said.
Tory saw Sass as a good option, especially with defenseman Dom Schmiemann out for a while with an ailment.
“He’s a good player. He’s played in the league. When you look back at his history, he was a leader on his bantam team and had a good career in Red Deer. There was a couple things going on — Schmiemann’s recovery from shoulder surgery. Also, Krystof Hrabik is going to St. Louis’ camp, and we aren’t sure when he can be expedited to return,” Tory said.
“We thought Sass was a good insurance policy in the event that there are any changes after our camp. He is capable of playing in the league, and he’s a good kid. He understands the situation, and he came in here and had a good camp,” he went on.
Sass knows that one way he can prove himself is by using all the experience gained through his four seasons in the WHL and hand off some knowledge gained to young defensemen like Marc Lajoie and Carson Haynes, among others.
“I’ve been through it all, especially in Red Deer with Brent there. He’s a good coach. He knows what he’s doing if I can come in and be helpful for the young guys.”
The Melville, Saskatchewan, native sees some key differences in the style of play out west compared to the Eastern Conference.
“I’ve played against the U.S. Division teams and stuff, but I find it’s more of a heavier game here. They hit lots and are quick. They shoot the puck a lot too. They are shooting from all angles. It’s a different city and country, but it’s been good,” Sass said.
The Americans have five 1999-born players competing for three spots currently. But with Olson, Warm, and Hrabik going to NHL camps soon, and Schmiemann injured, Sass will see plenty of ice time through the rest of the preseason.
Depending on how things break, the door could be open for Sass to take one of those overage spots and add to the 202 games he has already played in the league.
