WHL Wenatchee Wild

Wenatchee Wild Announce Trade with Moose Jaw Warriors

Published on January 4, 2024 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Wenatchee Wild News Release


Wenatchee Wild forward Matthew Savoie
Wenatchee Wild forward Matthew Savoie
(Wenatchee Wild, Credit: Russ Alman)

WENATCHEE, Wash. - The Wenatchee Wild have announced a trade with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League (WHL), sending 2004-born forward Matthew Savoie to Moose Jaw for seven selections in future WHL Prospects Drafts. As part of the trade, Wenatchee will receive two first-round picks, as well as one selection each in the second, third, fourth, sixth, and eighth rounds of the WHL Draft.

The draft picks included in the deal are a first-round selection in either the 2024 or 2025 WHL Draft as well as guaranteed third- and sixth-round selections in the 2024 WHL Draft, an eighth-round pick in the 2025 draft, a second-round pick in 2026, and both the Warriors' first- and fourth-round selections in the 2027 WHL Draft.

"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."

A native of St. Albert, Alberta and a 2022 first-round NHL draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres, Savoie played 160 games in a Winnipeg or Wenatchee uniform, posting 84 goals and 132 assists with the organization. He helped lead the Winnipeg ICE to the WHL's 2022 Eastern Conference final and to last year's WHL Final, and recently finished up a stint on the Canadian roster at the World Junior championships in Gothenburg, Sweden in which he notched a pair of assists.

The seven draft picks received by the Wild in the deal will help the team rebuild its draft board going into future seasons. The deal between the Wild and Warriors alone secures a first- or second-round pick for Wenatchee in three of the next four WHL Drafts.

"We wish we could have added some pieces to make a run at a championship this season," said Littler. "However, this was a move we needed to make for a sustainable future for our organization."

The Wenatchee Wild thank Matthew Savoie for all of his many contributions with the club both in Wenatchee and in Winnipeg, and look forward to his future achievements in the National Hockey League.

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Images from this story

Wenatchee Wild forward Matthew Savoie
Wenatchee Wild forward Matthew Savoie
(Russ Alman)		   



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