"The NTDP, I loved it," Sanderson said. "I loved my two years there. It's definitely a grind and I don't think any other team goes through what we do with our schedule, our international travel and just our training there in Michigan. It kind of developed me as a person with the professionals there, the coaches and obviously being there with the best 21 players in your age group in the country is really special."
Sanderson's father, Geoff, was an NHL forward who played 1,104 games.
Sanderson is committed to the University of North Dakota for the 2020-21 season, where Red Wings prospect Cooper Moore is also an incoming freshman.
Moore was the Wings' fifth-round pick, 128th overall, in the 2019 draft and Sanderson said the two are already good friends.
Of note, if Sanderson does reach the NHL, he will be just the second Montana-born player to do so in the history of the league.
Bill Lindsay, a right wing from Big Fork, played 777 games for the Quebec Nordiques, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks, Montreal Canadiens and Atlanta Thrashers from 1991-2004.