Men's Hockey: Walk-on Sabky follows in mother’s footsteps

“She was a bit of a stud in her time,” Sabky said with a laugh. “I try my best to beat her out.”

While hockey may be in Sabky’s genes, it wasn’t necessarily in his game plan when applying to college. Though pursued by Division III programs during his time at Choate Rosemary Hall, Sabky turned down recruiting offers so he could attend Princeton. Unwilling to abandon the ice, Sabky contacted head coach Guy Gadowsky, who agreed to give him a chance at a spot.

After spending his freshman year practicing with the team but not dressing for games, Sabky made a statement in his first collegiate contest, tallying a pair of assists in the Tigers’ first regular-season win this year. His first goal came two weeks later in the closing minutes of the first period against Union.

“I was more surprised [than anything] that it went in,” Sabky said. “It happened so quickly, I didn’t really have time to think about it.”

Sabky currently has three goals and four assists on the year and is tied for the team lead in power-play goals with two.

While walking onto any varsity squad at Princeton is challenging, the high standards set by last year’s ECAC Hockey champions made Sabky’s endeavor especially tough.

“[The biggest challenges were] trying to earn a spot, trying to prove that I could play at this level. Last year was a learning experience. I really enjoyed practicing with the team and being a part of the team. I did my best to learn from the other guys on the team, and they did a great job teaching me,” Sabky said.

The recruiting process out of high school is difficult in hockey. Players often take post-grad years at preparatory schools or spend years in junior leagues to get looks from the top collegiate coaches.

“I’d say it’s really hard to [walk on],” junior forward Dan Bartlett said. “A lot of guys have spent years after high school trying to get recruited to come here, so when you come here not recruited, initially, other guys on the team are going to be afraid of you taking away their playing spot.”

Despite the degree of commitment required and the high standard demanded by the program, Sabky said he felt like he was part of the team from day one.

“I did my tryout, and from the start the guys welcomed and encouraged me,” Sabky said. “I saw the standard for work ethic and commitment they set. After seeing that, it wasn’t too hard to see that I needed to meet that.”

An imposing physical presence on the ice, Sabky has fit seamlessly into the lineup this season and has worked especially well alongside linemates Bartlett and junior forward Tyler Beachell. The trio combined for three goals in three contests in a tough five-game road stretch earlier this season.

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Gadowsky must have recognized the contributions Sabky could make for the Tigers early on in his tryout, as Sabky was offered a position on the team just before Christmas last year. His performance this season has proved that the spot was deserved.

“[There is] no one in our program or around it that’s not thrilled for Sam Sabky, especially with the way he’s handled himself,” Gadowsky said. “He’s a great guy in the locker room, and he’s earned a ton of respect from all the guys on the team. I personally have a ton of respect for him, for the way he’s been able to become such a big part of this team. What he’s done so far is spectacular.”

Whether driven by the culture of Princeton hockey or motivated by his mother’s picture enshrined on a wall in Baker Rink — or her presence at all of his home games — Sabky has managed to transition from practice-squad player to solid contributor in a short 12-game stretch this season and is expected to have just as great an impact when the Tigers return to the ice just before the new year.