Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - With the ninth overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres selected center Matthew Savoie from the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League.
The St. Albert, Alberta native was one of the top-10 scorers in the WHL last season with 35 goals and 55 assists for 90 points in 65 games, helping the Ice win 53 of their 68 games last year. The Ice fell short in the Conference Final Round of the WHL playoffs, losing in five games to the Edmonton Oil Kings.
The 5-foot-9 center has only played one full season in the WHL due to the COVID-19 gap year. In his first half season in the WHL, he played 22 games and only recorded seven assists. During the COVID-19 year, Savoie played 34 games in the United States Hockey League with the Dubuque Fighting Saints, recording 38 points (21+17).
In terms of accolades, he has named a WHL First-Team All-Star, as well as being named to the USHL All-Rookie Team in 2021.
The 18-year-old still has two more years of eligibility in the WHL with Winnipeg, and is set to return to the team next season, unless the Sabres feel he can join the roster right away.
The Sabres will next pick with the 16th overall selection in the first round of the draft.
