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WHL Moose Jaw Warriors

TRADE: Warriors Acquire Savoie in Blockbuster Deal

January 4, 2024 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Moose Jaw Warriors News Release


Moose Jaw, SK - The Moose Jaw Warriors are excited to announce the acquisition of 19-year-old forward Matthew Savoie in a blockbuster trade with the Wenatchee Wild.

In the trade, the Warriors will send seven picks in the WHL Prospects Draft, 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.

Savoie comes to the Warriors after four dominating seasons with the Wild/Winnipeg ICE organization.

Originally selected first overall by the ICE in 2019, Savoie posted 84 goals and 216 points over 160 Western Hockey League games, including back-to-back 90+ point seasons. The St. Albert, AB product has 11 goals and 24 points in 11 games this season.

In 29 career WHL playoffs, Savoie has 17 goals and 41 points over the past two playoffs, including helping Winnipeg to the WHL Championship Series in 2023.

Savoie was selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres and made his NHL debut this season on Nov. 10. He also had two goals and five points in six games with the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League.

Savoie most recently represented Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship along with Warriors captain Denton Mateychuk, Brayden Yager and Jagger Firkus. He served as an alternate captain and finished 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 total, the Warriors send first, third and sixth round picks in 2024, an eighth round pick in 2025, a second round pick in 2026, and first and fourth picks in 2027 to the Wild in the deal.

"It wasn't a hard decision, put a lot of thought into it, but obviously when you make a trade like this and give up that many draft picks, we have a plan moving forward, we're going to stick with it and this year, our goal is to win a championship," Ripplinger said.

Savoie is expected to join the Warriors next week.

Moose Jaw returns to game action coming up on Friday when they host the Prince Albert Raiders at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.

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