Mezue ahịrịokwu na-esonụ: Mgbe ya na ndị Islanders nọ, Sanford gbara mbọ igwu hockey kọleji maka ụmụ nwoke ice hockey nke Boston College Eagles na Ngalaba I nke National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) na Machị 2013. N'ime afọ mbụ ya nke NHL draft eligibility, Sanford malitere n'ọkwa 83rd n'etiti ndị North American skaters site na NHL Central Scouting Bureau ma n'oge na-adịghị anya buliri ọkwa ya na 60th n'ozuzu ya. N'oge na-adịghị anya mgbe nke ahụ gasịrị, ndị Washington Capitals họpụtara ya na 2013 NHL Entry Draft na agba nke abụọ, 61st n'ozuzu. Mgbe a họpụtara ya na 61st n'ozuzu na
2013 NHL Entry Draft site na Washington Capitals, Sanford sonyeere Waterloo Black Hawks nke United States Hockey League.