Saad honored to have junior number retired

The Spirits honored Saad on Friday prior to their game against the North Bay Battalion at the Dow Event Center with family and friends in attendance.

"It's a huge honor," Saad said on Monday. "It was fun to be able to get back there, a lot of memories. Obviously to see your number retired, it's a huge honor."

The timing was right for Saad to make an appearance for the first time since he last dressed for the Spirit in the second of two seasons playing there. The Blues were playing the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday and Saad was able to make the 1.5 hour drive north for the festivities.

"'Goose' [Spirit president and managing partner Craig Goslin] asked me to do it, but it's just finding a time to do it. It's an amazing experience. I got to have some of my family come down. Overall, it's just a great accomplishment."

Saad played two seasons with the Spirits from 2010-12 and registered 131 points (61 goals, 70 assists) in 103 regular-season games, and 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) in 24 OHL playoff games in what he called two of the greatest years he's spent in hockey.

"Yeah, leaving home and maturing as a person and as a hockey player, playing that amount of games, having success, it's always part of the goal to becoming an NHL player, so I think it was a huge part of it," Saad said.

Saad's banner was unveiled next to that of Trocheck, who currently is a center for the New York Rangers and who wore No. 89 in Saginaw.

"We're the only two and it's pretty cool and we're both Pittsburgh boys," Saad said. "It's pretty cool that we both get to have those up there together."

Saad has gone on and put up 482 points (243 goals, 239 assists) in 838 NHL regular-season games with the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche and the Blues; he's got 111 points (59 goals, 52 assists) in 206 games in three seasons with the Blues.

"Just enjoy the ride and have some fun," Saad said of what he would tell this generation of Saginaw players looking to make it in the NHL. "At times it gets tough, but it's a great thing to be a part of is being a hockey player, whether it's junior or in the NHL. Just enjoy the ride."