<p>Edmonton Oilers Matthew Savoie drew plenty of attention during the Young Stars Classic Tournament as one of the team&#8217;s top prospects, even though he registered just one assist in the winless run. Yet, Oilersnation’s Bruce Curlock, who was closely observing the tournament, was impressed by Savoie&#8217;s offensive potential, highlighting <a href="https://x.com/Sports1440/status/1835861229623263408" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the player&#8217;s elite offensive skills</a>.</p>
<p>Savoie will be closely watched again as the Oilers&#8217; training camp kicks off to see how he performs. Odds are, he&#8217;ll likely start the season in the AHL, with potential call-ups throughout the year. That said, with a bright future seemingly ahead in Oil Country, let&#8217;s explore some interesting facts about the former ninth overall draft pick.</p>
<h2>Savoie Had Healthy Competition with Connor Bedard in the WHL</h2>
<p>There’s a notable link between Savoie and the Chicago Blackhawks&#8217; <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilersnation-everyday-bedard-scores-but-mcdavid-wins-in-battle-of-the-connors">Connor Bedard</a>—both were former first-overall draft picks in the WHL. Savoie was drafted at the number one spot by the Winnipeg Ice in 2019 and Bedard was also taken first overall by the Regina Pats just a year later. The two welcomed the healthy competition with one another during their junior days and back in 2021, the now Oiler <a href="https://leaderpost.com/sports/hockey/regina-pats/matt-savoie-and-connor-bedard-are-fridays-marquee-attractions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spoke about the competitiveness</a> between the two:</p>
<blockquote><p>“We’ve obviously played against each other a few times,” says Savoie, 17 at the time. “There’s just a lot of competition there between us. We’re trying to push each other and get better.” He added, “Playing against him is always good and I’m always interested in seeing how he’s doing because we keep track of each other and how we’re doing throughout the year, so it’s always nice to play against elite competition.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Savoie was spot on in calling Bedard elite, as the Vancouver, BC native was chosen <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/the-chicago-blackhawks-have-won-the-connor-bedard-sweepstakes">first overall by the Blackhawks in 2023</a> and won the Calder Trophy last June.</p>
<p>Moreover, when they faced each other in junior hockey, the competitive dynamic may have been heightened by the fact that Bedard was granted exceptional status by Hockey Canada in 2020 to join the WHL at 15, while <a href="https://flamesnation.ca/news/whl-has-first-player-with-exceptional-status" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Savoie had been denied that honour</a> a year earlier. Nevertheless, Bedard also spoke highly of St. Albert, AB native back in their junior days, stating, “He’s unreal. He’s one of the fastest guys I’ve ever seen. He can think at such a high level that it’s really cool to see.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Highest CSSHL u18 pt/game as a 14-year-old:</p>
<p>2.33 — Connor Bedard<br />2.29 — Matt Savoie<br />2.07 — Landon Dupont (2027 1st overall pick)<br />1.86 — Gavin McKenna (2026 1st overall pick)</p>
<p>Savoie has so much potential it&#39;s insane. <a href="https://t.co/iNVfqiAdeM">pic.twitter.com/iNVfqiAdeM</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) <a href="https://twitter.com/BigHeadHcky/status/1809673972000367095?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Overall, their teams went head-to-head 13 times over two years in the WHL, with Savoie recording 13 goals and 11 assists in that span, while Bedard tallied seven goals and 10 assists. However, Savoie had the advantage of a stronger Winnipeg team, which won 12 of the 13 games in the head-to-head matchups.</p>
<h2>Savoie is Best Friend&#8217;s With Lightning&#8217;s Conor Geekie</h2>
<p>Savoie was drafted first overall in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft, with Conor Geekie selected right behind him at the number two spot, also by the Ice. The two became best friends while playing together from 2019 to 2023 with the team, who eventually relocated to Wenatchee, Washington. During their time together, they helped elevate the franchise from the bottom of the WHL standings to the top.</p>
<p>Interestingly, the two friends were selected only two spots apart at the 2022 NHL Draft, with Savoie taken ninth overall by the Buffalo Sabres and Geekie selected 11th overall by the Arizona Coyotes, now known as <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/nhl-notebook-sale-of-coyotes-to-utah-made-official-jeff-carter-announces-retirement-nikita-kucherov-gets-100th-assist-and-more">the Utah Hockey Club</a>.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Matt Savoie and Conor Geekie can really make magic together. They&#39;re going to be a nightmare for other teams for the remainder of their time in the WHL <a href="https://t.co/WIrLVmR3Md">pic.twitter.com/WIrLVmR3Md</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/Derek_N_NHL/status/1503123442970726402?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Yet, Geekie <a href="https://bola.oilersnation.com/news/nhl-notebook-day-2-of-2024-nhl-draft-brings-a-storm-of-trades">was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning </a>last June in a deal for Mikhail Sergachev. That said, while the two former WHL teammates may be rivals on the ice, they&#8217;ll remain close off it, as Geekie noted during their time with Team Canada <a href="https://twitter.com/CHLHockey/status/1737868026924470320">at the 2024 World Juniors</a>, “I’m forever thankful for him, and we truly became best friends through all of this. Lots of jokes and lots of laughs along the way.&#8221;</p>
<h2>Savoie Trained With David Pelletier Growing Up to Sharpen His Skating Skills</h2>
<p>David Pelletier is a former three-time Canadian Champion, World Champion figure skater, and Olympic Gold Medalist, and he is currently the skating coach for the Oilers. Since retiring from professional figure skating, he has worked as a power skating coach with several professional and athletes and he has been working with <a href="https://www.nhl.com/oilers/team/david-pelletier" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Oilers since the 2014-15 season.</a></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The St Albert, Alberta sensation Connor McD&#8230; Matt Savoie puts on an electric performance at Canada’s U17 Dev Camp. Savoie showed off his generational skating ability. There isn’t a player in the world that could skate like Savoie at 15.</p>
<p>Savoie is my #1 for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2022NHLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#2022NHLDraft</a>. <a href="https://t.co/FLqtVguDUj">pic.twitter.com/FLqtVguDUj</a></p>
<p>&mdash; TPEHockey (@TPEHockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/TPEHockey/status/1154237086477770755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2019</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>On that note, growing up, Pelletier mentored Savoie, helping him improve his skating, with a focus on edge work and balance. Additionally, an article by <em>the Athletic</em>, noted the Oilers’ forward as an “offensive dynamo” and him being an extremely explosive skater and listed individuals Savoie is thankful for, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3177950/2022/03/24/matt-savoie-nhl-draft-sabres/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mentioning Pelletier</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p>“Thankful for the role Oilers skating coach David Pelletier and the NAX’s Brian Shackel played in developing his talked-about skating growing up.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Additionally, if, or I&#8217;d be confident to say, <em>when</em>, he becomes a full-time Oiler, his ongoing access to Pelletier and their already-established rapport should work very well in his favour.</p>
<h2>Savoie’s Superb Skating Skills Shone at Top Prospects On-Ice Testing</h2>
<p>The CHL Top Prospects Game is an annual event featuring 40 of the top NHL Draft-eligible prospects from the CHL competing in an All-Star Game setting and in 2022, Savoie was selected to participate in the elite showcase. Although he didn’t score during the game, he impressed observers with his performance in the on-ice testing conducted as part of the Sports Testing Combine.</p>
<p>36 CHL skaters participated in the on-ice testing, which it was a chance to showcase their strengths and skills to NHL management and scouts and <a href="https://nhlentrydraft.com/news/2022-nhl-draft-results-chl-top-prospects-game-sports-combine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Savoie finished first overall in the event,</a> finishing first in the following four separate categories:</p>
<p>-30M Forward Skate with Puck<br />
-Weave Agility with Puck<br />
-Transition Agility<br />
-Reaction with Puck</p>
<p>Overall, if Savoie reaches his potential, the idea of him and Connor McDavid zipping around the ice together should leave Oilers fans buzzing with excitement.</p>
<h2>Savoie Patterns His Play After Brayden Point and Mathew Barzal</h2>
<p>Savoie was recently a guest on the “<a href="https://globalnews.ca/edmonton/program/oilers-now-with-bob-stauffer" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Oilers Now</em></a>” show, and when asked which NHLers he patterns his game after, he responded by saying:</p>
<blockquote><p>“I like watching guys like Brayden Point, Matt Barzal—somewhat smaller guys that play the game really fast, like to have the puck on their stick. They’re dynamic, they make plays and they compete, they go and get the puck back when they don’t have it, and those are just two guys that growing up I’ve always watched and tried to emulate.”</p></blockquote>
<p>All in all, Edmonton is counting on Savoie&#8217;s blend of speed, agility, and <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/meet-the-edmonton-oilers-new-guy-matthew-savoie">playmaking ability</a> and develop into an impact player in Oil Country. Additionally, should he reach even half the level of Point or Barzal, the Oilers will have landed themselves a quality player. With that in mind, how many games do you think Savoie will play with the Oilers this upcoming season?</p>
<h2><strong>PRESENTED BY bet365</strong></h2>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="325" data-promotion-id="19111" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>


Edmonton Oilers Matthew Savoie drew plenty of attention during the Young Stars Classic Tournament as one of the team's top prospects, even though he registered just one assist in the winless run. Yet, Oilersnation’s Bruce Curlock, who was closely observing the tournament, was impressed by Savoie's offensive potential, highlighting <a href="https://x.com/Sports1440/status/1835861229623263408" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the player's elite offensive skills</a>.

Savoie will be closely watched again as the Oilers' training camp kicks off to see how he performs. Odds are, he'll likely start the season in the AHL, with potential call-ups throughout the year. That said, with a bright future seemingly ahead in Oil Country, let's explore some interesting facts about the former ninth overall draft pick.
<h2>Savoie Had Healthy Competition with Connor Bedard in the WHL</h2>
There’s a notable link between Savoie and the Chicago Blackhawks' <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilersnation-everyday-bedard-scores-but-mcdavid-wins-in-battle-of-the-connors">Connor Bedard</a>—both were former first-overall draft picks in the WHL. Savoie was drafted at the number one spot by the Winnipeg Ice in 2019 and Bedard was also taken first overall by the Regina Pats just a year later. The two welcomed the healthy competition with one another during their junior days and back in 2021, the now Oiler <a href="https://leaderpost.com/sports/hockey/regina-pats/matt-savoie-and-connor-bedard-are-fridays-marquee-attractions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spoke about the competitiveness</a> between the two:
<blockquote>“We’ve obviously played against each other a few times,” says Savoie, 17 at the time. “There’s just a lot of competition there between us. We’re trying to push each other and get better.” He added, “Playing against him is always good and I’m always interested in seeing how he’s doing because we keep track of each other and how we’re doing throughout the year, so it’s always nice to play against elite competition.”</blockquote>
Savoie was spot on in calling Bedard elite, as the Vancouver, BC native was chosen <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/the-chicago-blackhawks-have-won-the-connor-bedard-sweepstakes">first overall by the Blackhawks in 2023</a> and won the Calder Trophy last June.

Moreover, when they faced each other in junior hockey, the competitive dynamic may have been heightened by the fact that Bedard was granted exceptional status by Hockey Canada in 2020 to join the WHL at 15, while <a href="https://flamesnation.ca/news/whl-has-first-player-with-exceptional-status" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Savoie had been denied that honour</a> a year earlier. Nevertheless, Bedard also spoke highly of St. Albert, AB native back in their junior days, stating, “He’s unreal. He’s one of the fastest guys I’ve ever seen. He can think at such a high level that it’s really cool to see.”

https://twitter.com/BigHeadHcky/status/1809673972000367095

Overall, their teams went head-to-head 13 times over two years in the WHL, with Savoie recording 13 goals and 11 assists in that span, while Bedard tallied seven goals and 10 assists. However, Savoie had the advantage of a stronger Winnipeg team, which won 12 of the 13 games in the head-to-head matchups.
<h2>Savoie is Best Friend's With Lightning's Conor Geekie</h2>
Savoie was drafted first overall in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft, with Conor Geekie selected right behind him at the number two spot, also by the Ice. The two became best friends while playing together from 2019 to 2023 with the team, who eventually relocated to Wenatchee, Washington. During their time together, they helped elevate the franchise from the bottom of the WHL standings to the top.

Interestingly, the two friends were selected only two spots apart at the 2022 NHL Draft, with Savoie taken ninth overall by the Buffalo Sabres and Geekie selected 11th overall by the Arizona Coyotes, now known as <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/nhl-notebook-sale-of-coyotes-to-utah-made-official-jeff-carter-announces-retirement-nikita-kucherov-gets-100th-assist-and-more">the Utah Hockey Club</a>.

https://twitter.com/Derek_N_NHL/status/1503123442970726402

Yet, Geekie <a href="https://bola.oilersnation.com/news/nhl-notebook-day-2-of-2024-nhl-draft-brings-a-storm-of-trades">was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning </a>last June in a deal for Mikhail Sergachev. That said, while the two former WHL teammates may be rivals on the ice, they'll remain close off it, as Geekie noted during their time with Team Canada <a href="https://twitter.com/CHLHockey/status/1737868026924470320">at the 2024 World Juniors</a>, “I’m forever thankful for him, and we truly became best friends through all of this. Lots of jokes and lots of laughs along the way."
<h2>Savoie Trained With David Pelletier Growing Up to Sharpen His Skating Skills</h2>
David Pelletier is a former three-time Canadian Champion, World Champion figure skater, and Olympic Gold Medalist, and he is currently the skating coach for the Oilers. Since retiring from professional figure skating, he has worked as a power skating coach with several professional and athletes and he has been working with <a href="https://www.nhl.com/oilers/team/david-pelletier" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Oilers since the 2014-15 season.</a>

https://twitter.com/TPEHockey/status/1154237086477770755

On that note, growing up, Pelletier mentored Savoie, helping him improve his skating, with a focus on edge work and balance. Additionally, an article by <em>the Athletic</em>, noted the Oilers’ forward as an “offensive dynamo” and him being an extremely explosive skater and listed individuals Savoie is thankful for, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3177950/2022/03/24/matt-savoie-nhl-draft-sabres/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mentioning Pelletier</a>:
<blockquote>“Thankful for the role Oilers skating coach David Pelletier and the NAX’s Brian Shackel played in developing his talked-about skating growing up.”</blockquote>
Additionally, if, or I'd be confident to say, <em>when</em>, he becomes a full-time Oiler, his ongoing access to Pelletier and their already-established rapport should work very well in his favour.
<h2>Savoie’s Superb Skating Skills Shone at Top Prospects On-Ice Testing</h2>
The CHL Top Prospects Game is an annual event featuring 40 of the top NHL Draft-eligible prospects from the CHL competing in an All-Star Game setting and in 2022, Savoie was selected to participate in the elite showcase. Although he didn’t score during the game, he impressed observers with his performance in the on-ice testing conducted as part of the Sports Testing Combine.

36 CHL skaters participated in the on-ice testing, which it was a chance to showcase their strengths and skills to NHL management and scouts and <a href="https://nhlentrydraft.com/news/2022-nhl-draft-results-chl-top-prospects-game-sports-combine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Savoie finished first overall in the event,</a> finishing first in the following four separate categories:

-30M Forward Skate with Puck
-Weave Agility with Puck
-Transition Agility
-Reaction with Puck

Overall, if Savoie reaches his potential, the idea of him and Connor McDavid zipping around the ice together should leave Oilers fans buzzing with excitement.
<h2>Savoie Patterns His Play After Brayden Point and Mathew Barzal</h2>
Savoie was recently a guest on the “<a href="https://globalnews.ca/edmonton/program/oilers-now-with-bob-stauffer" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Oilers Now</em></a>” show, and when asked which NHLers he patterns his game after, he responded by saying:
<blockquote>“I like watching guys like Brayden Point, Matt Barzal—somewhat smaller guys that play the game really fast, like to have the puck on their stick. They’re dynamic, they make plays and they compete, they go and get the puck back when they don’t have it, and those are just two guys that growing up I’ve always watched and tried to emulate.”</blockquote>
All in all, Edmonton is counting on Savoie's blend of speed, agility, and <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/meet-the-edmonton-oilers-new-guy-matthew-savoie">playmaking ability</a> and develop into an impact player in Oil Country. Additionally, should he reach even half the level of Point or Barzal, the Oilers will have landed themselves a quality player. With that in mind, how many games do you think Savoie will play with the Oilers this upcoming season?
<h2><strong>PRESENTED BY bet365</strong></h2>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="325" data-promotion-id="19111" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>

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