Savoie off to quick start in USHL

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This article was published 10/02/2021 (1693 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dubuque Fighting Saints head coach Oliver David had lofty expectations for Matt Savoie when the stud right-winger arrived in the USHL last month.

But it appears the 17-year-old from St. Albert, Alta., has come better than advertised. If that’s possible.

Savoie’s speed and uncanny finishing touch produced six goals in his first six games but David seems equally impressed with the 17-year-old’s willingness to listen and put in the work.

“He didn’t bring an ego with him; he’s open to learning,” said David of Savoie, who got his release from the WHL’s Winnipeg Ice to play games in the top American junior loop. “I think he’s appreciative of the opportunity to play here. He’s got a well-balanced personality and it’s been a joy having him around.”

Savoie’s resumé is impeccable. As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 WHL Draft, he made his debut in the WHL as a 15-year-old and put up seven points in 22 games with the Ice while also suiting up for the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and Canada’s team at the Youth Olympics. He’s on a shortlist of players contending for the top slot in the 2022 NHL Draft.

Being able to refine his game with the WHL on hold is the main reason the 5-11, 181-pounder is in Dubuque. It’s a process David is happy to accommodate.

“I’m excited about the ways to maybe add to his game in his time in Dubuque,” said David. “The things that he’s brought that make up the stronger points of his game have been game-changing for us. His ability to separate himself on the rush, his ability to make plays on the rush and when he doesn’t find separation, with his quickness and his speed, has literally equalled more goals in the back of the net for us.”

Savoie, who had to quarantine for five days and test negative for COVID-19 before he was allowed to dress for practices and games, has found regular linemates in centre Stephen Halliday, who recently decommitted from the University of North Dakota, and left-winger Connor Kurth, a University of Minnesota recruit.

“I think adding that layer where he’s a little bit more involved without the puck might add a good element to his game,” said David. “He’s got the strength already as the young kid and the skill to really quickly get on guys and create offence from defence, rather than leaving it up to a defenceman or the centre in a traditional sense.”

Staying on the ice hasn’t been without missteps for the USHL’s 14 teams. The Saints, for instance, are coming off a five-day layoff triggered by four positive COVOD-19 cases.

Dubuque’s had three games postponed, bringing their season total to 10. On Friday, the Fighting Saints will be back at full strength when they host the Waterloo Blackhawks, their first game in 12 days.

So far, Dubuque is 10-14-0-0 after 24 games in a 54-game regular-season schedule. Masks are worn at all times except on the ice and players are tested weekly.

“It’s exhausting,” said David. “We don’t have league-wide protocols and limitless resources like the professional leagues that are also having many cases, day after day, right? And they have all those resources so you can imagine how much more difficult it is not living with everything at your disposal.”

David insists safety comes first, estimating his team has had a positive case every two or three weeks.

“We’re doing an extraordinary job,” said David, “We have limited the spread and kept our players safe to the level that we’re very proud of and feel good about.”

Monitoring of player movement has been vigilant.

“We created a group text with our three coaches, the billet moms and dads, the housing family and the player,” he said. “So every time they depart or arrive at their house or the arena, which are the only two places they’re allowed to go, they text in that group. I mean, we’re getting 300 or 400 text messages every day from all the players and everybody’s asking questions. It’s non-stop management.”

Savoie is planning to return to the WHL next season. However, should Dubuque’s season end before the WHL wraps up this spring, he could return to the Ice earlier than anticipated.

SALVAGING THE SEASON?

Canada’s junior-A leagues have taken a big hit this pandemic-obstructed season. Some haven’t played any regular-season games while others, such as the MJHL, barely got a started before having to shut down in mid-November.

“It’s been a challenge and I really feel bad for our 10 commissioners because I think without actually playing hockey, everyone’s been twice as busy with putting plans in place to start up and responding to health authority directions,” said Brent Ladds, president of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. “And then, in a lot of cases, just as you get near to those touch points where you might get something off the ground, something else develops.”

The CJHL, which governs junior A hockey in the country, has only one active league currently in operation. The Maritime Junior Hockey League, with franchises in three provinces, is only staging games in Nova Scotia due to pandemic restrictions.

What will it look like for the other leagues if restrictions are relaxed enough to play?

“If people do get going at some point, be it March or whatever, it’s going to be a modified approach that we’re doing,” said Ladds. “It will be more to get kids on the ice, playing some games and getting them some exposure if possible before the ice goes out of the arenas in a lot of communities.”

Ladds also responded to an online campaign demanding that 20-year-olds in Canadian leagues be allowed to return for an extra season as 21-year-olds.

“We addressed it way back when we weren’t sure what this season was going to look like… and there was no appetite within the CJHL to do that,” said Ladds. “Whether this recent petition would cause our people to go back and revisit that, I’m not sure. But, you know, certainly in our next board meeting, we’ll put it on as an agenda item just to see whether anyone has changed their focus on it.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14