Eastern arms race continues as Warriors add Sabres prospect Savoie
Moose Jaw, Sask.- The Moose Jaw Warriors have added to an already impressive fleet of offensive weapons with the acquisition of 19-year-old Matthew Savoie.
In exchange, the Warriors will send seven WHL Prospects Draft picks to the Wenatchee Wild, including first-round selections in 2024 and 2027.
“It’s an exciting day for the organization and the City of Moose Jaw to bring a player of his caliber to come in and try to help us win a championship this year,” Warriors general manager Jason Ripplinger said.
Originally picked first overall by the then-Winnipeg ICE in the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft, Savoie has dominated the junior ranks with 84 goals and 216 points in 160 regular season WHL games.
Despite only playing 11 games so far this campaign, the St. Albert, Alta. centreman has a blistering 11 goals and 24 points. His 2.18 points-per-game average leads the league and Wenatchee went 8-1-2-0 over that stretch.
Savoie was selected by the Buffalo Sabres with the ninth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut on November 10, 2023. The 5-foot-10 forward also tallied two goals and five points in six games with the AHL’s Rochester Americans before re-joining Wenatchee.
Savoie most recently represented Canada as an alternate captain at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship along with Warriors captain Denton Mateychuk, Brayden Yager and Jagger Firkus. He finished the tournament with one assist in four games.
“He’s going to bring a lot of character and grit for us and obviously put the puck in the net,” Ripplinger said.
In return, Wenatchee will receive a conditional first-round pick in either the 2024 or 2025 WHL Prospects Draft, third and sixth-round picks in 2024, an eighth-round pick in 2025, a second-round pick in 2026, and first and fourth-round picks in 2027.
“Though Matthew’s time with the Wild was brief, he made major contributions for our team on and off the ice, and gave our fans an exciting introduction to the Western Hockey League product,” said Wenatchee general manager Bliss Littler. “He was an important member of the organization both in Winnipeg and Wenatchee, and we look forward to seeing his contributions in the National Hockey League very soon.”
Savoie is expected to join the Warriors next week.
Moose Jaw (21-14-0-2) is currently on a four-game winning streak to sit second in the East Division. The Warriors host the Prince Albert Raiders (17-17-0-2) on January 5.