Tuhia he haere tonu mo tenei whitianga - I a ia e noho ana ki nga Moutere, i whakawhiwhia a Sanford ki te takaro i te hokai o te whare wananga mo te hokai hukapapa a nga taane o Boston College Eagles i te Wahanga I o te National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) i te Poutu-te-rangi 2013. I roto i tana tau tuatahi o te NHL draft e tika ana, i tiimata a Sanford i te 83 o nga kaitakaro o Amerika ki te Raki na te NHL Central Scouting Bureau engari kaore i roa ka eke tana tuunga ki te 60 o te katoa. I muri tata i muri mai ka tangohia ia i te 2013 NHL Entry Draft i te rauna tuarua, 61st katoa na te Washington Capitals. I muri i te 61 o nga waahanga katoa i te 2013 NHL Entry Draft
Na te Washington Capitals, ka uru atu a Sanford ki te Waterloo Black Hawks o te United States Hockey League.