Future NHL stars are developing in the Canadian Hockey League this season. Each week, NHL.com highlights a few of the top NHL-affiliated prospects in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League and the Western Hockey League.
Matt Savoie knows the phone call is coming after almost every game, and he appreciates it.
The forward prospect, selected by the Buffalo Sabers with the No. 9 pick of the 2022 NHL Draft, said he’s been speaking frequently with Sabers director of player development Adam Mair since returning to Winnipeg of the Western Hockey League.
With 11 points (five goals, six assists) during a season-opening seven-game point streak, the calls have obviously been positive. But there have also been teachable moments for the 18-year-old.
“We go through clips and videos and things that I can work on, things that he likes,” Savoie said. “There’s been lots of positives and also some things that I can work on.”
Savoie enjoys the constant criticism of his game.
“As much feedback as I can get is better and I always like seeing new ways to keep improving,” he said. “I think when you hear a lot of different people’s opinion, you can really see different aspects and keep improving your game. I think when you meet a lot of intelligent hockey minds critiquing your game and telling you how to work on your game, it can definitely go a long way.”
Sabers general manager Kevyn Adams said keeping the lines of communication open is important for more than just Savoie’s on-ice growth.
“We want to make sure we build trust and build relationships with the organization, and not just with Matt but all our prospects,” Adams said. “It doesn’t have to just be the game that night, it can be just checking in and how are they doing as a family, and what’s going on in their lives, because we want to make sure that these players know that we care about them as people. We’re going to do everything we can to help them.
“One of the messages that I send in rookie camp to all our young players is that we’re here in this organization to do every single thing we can to help you be the best player you can be. You need to take advantage of those resources. and be a pro in terms of being responsible. There are expectations that we’re going to put on you but we’re going to do everything we can to help you. That’s part of the communication and that kind of back and forth that Adam and the rest of our player development guys have.”
Savoie (5-foot-9, 179 pounds) went a long way at Sabers training camp, playing in three preseason games before being returned to Winnipeg. He didn’t have a point but felt he left a positive impression on Sabers management.
“My speed, they liked the way that I possessed the puck and skated with it through the neutral zone and was challenging defenders 1-on-1 with my skating ability,” he said. “Just my all-around game. They liked the way I competed on the defensive side and how reliable I was in all three zones.”
Now, he said, the key is focusing on staying reliable and responsible on the ice and off in terms of getting stronger.
“I want to keep getting faster and stronger and being able to continue to extend my shifts a little bit longer,” Savoie said. “Just implementing more workouts after games, trying to be in the gym as much as possible, doing extra workouts on top of team workouts. I think that all goes a long way to just how much you can get out of your season. You can build muscle during the season. I think this will be a good chance for me to do so.”
OTHERS TO WATCH
Brennan Othmann, LW, Flint (New York Rangers): Othmann continued his hot scoring run to start the season, including two goals and an assist in an 8-1 win against Erie on Oct. 14. Othmann leads the Ontario Hockey League with eight goals and is tied for second with 15 points. Selected by the New York Rangers in the first round (No. 16) of the 2021 NHL Draft, the 19-year-old has goals in five of his eight games, and has a point in seven of eight.
Joshua Roy, RW, Sherbrooke (Montreal Canadiens): Roy started the season on a seven-game point streak, including six consecutive multipoint games. He has three games with at least three points, with a high of four points (one goal, three assists) against Moncton on Oct. 8. The 19-year-old is tied for fourth in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with 18 points in nine games, and his 12 assists are tied for third. Selected by the Canadiens in the fifth round (No. 150) of the 2021 NHL Draft, Roy began his season with eight points (three goals, five assists) in seven games to help Canada win the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship in August. He scored the first goal in Canada’s 3-2 overtime win against Finland in the championship game.
Lucas Ciona, LW Seattle (Calgary Flames): Ciona ran his season-opening point streak to six games with six points (three goals, three assists) in Seattle’s 11-3 win against Everett on Oct. 15. It’s the most points he’s had in a game in five Western Hockey League seasons, and his first WHL hat trick. The 19-year-old is tied for fifth in the league with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in six games. Selected by the Flames in the sixth round (No. 173) of the 2021 draft, Ciona had 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists) in 53 games last season.
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