Sawada scores in NHL debut

Raymond Sawada celebrated his 24th birthday Thursday.                                                                                                                                            

It just may have been the best ever.

In the morning, the Dallas Stars called up the Richmondite to the National Hockey League to help replace Brad Richards, who will be out of the Stars’ lineup for up to eight weeks with a broken wrist. And in the evening Sawada immediately repaid the Stars, who drafted him in the second round, 52nd overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, by scoring on his first shot in his first game.

“It was a great birthday present,” Sawada told the Dallas Stars’ website. “Coming here, first and foremost, was a great birthday present and getting that goal and the win was even better. Definitely, this is going to be a great memory and hopefully there will be many more of these to come.”

Sawada beat Edmonton goalie Dwayne Roloson on a backhand at 16:38 of the first period, set up by Mike Ribeiro. The goal gave the Stars a 2-0 lead and helped them to a 4-2 win over the Oilers.

“Ray is a great example of how young players develop in the minors,” Stars coach Dave Tippett said. “He has been well-coached and it’s a hard step, but he was very good tonight and opportunity is an interesting thing. It’s a great story.”

Sawada is the consummate pro. After concluding a solid college career last spring at Cornell University, the Richmond minor hockey product and former Richmond Sockeye began his first season of pro hockey in the American League with the Manitoba Moose, ironically the Vancouver Canucks’ top farm team. He had five goals and 13 assists and was plus-8 in 48 games.

Working out with skating coach Derek Popke and other NHL players and prospects last summer at the Richmond Ice Centre, the 6-2, 205-pound Sawada told The Richmond Review he’d be “disappointed” if he he didn’t earn an NHL job.

“I’m going to camp believing I can take one of the jobs available,” he said.

Sawada expected to start on a checking line, which he said would ideally suit him.

“I’m the type of player who likes to finish my checks and bring some energy to the team,” he said.

That’s exactly the role he filled in his NHL debut, playing just under seven minutes mostly on a checking line with Krys Barch and Brian Sutherby.

But Sawada, who was a talented all-around athlete in high school, also has some offensive upside He had two goals and seven assists in 10 games with the Iowa Stars last spring after signing a two-way NHL entry-level contract.

Stephen Sawada, Raymond’s brother, said there was plenty of excitement around the family’s Richmond home Thursday as they scrambled to get in front of the TV to watch Raymond’s NHL debut.

Sawada is expected to be in the Dallas lineup again Saturday when the Stars play host to the Chicago Blackhawks. The game begins at 11 a.m. Pacific time and will be broadcast by Chicago superstation WGN.