Matthew Savoie is ready for the WHL season with the Winnipeg ICE

By: Olivia Lawrence
RP Show Intern

The Winnipeg ICE have been second place in the East Division the past two WHL seasons, but with the return of 17 year-old forward and 2022 NHL prospect Matthew Savoie, this might be the player the team needs to go all the way this season.

Savoie was ICE’s first-overall pick in 2019, but he took his talents elsewhere last season during COVID-19. He played four games for the Sherwood Park Crusaders in the AJHL before heading down to the United States to play for Dubuque in the USHL. Savoie racked up 38 points +11 in 34 games. 

“The USHL was definitely a good league,” said Savoie on Thursday’s show. “I didn’t really know what to expect at first, moving to a new league and a different country. I thought it was a great experience for me development wise.” 

Savoie describes the USHL and the WHL as being very similar, considering they are both the top junior leagues in their countries. 

“I think they’re both fast paced, very comparable in size and speed and the age group as well. Last year in the USHL there were lots of older guys that came back from the NCAA with that being shut down from COVID, so there was a lot of star power in the league.”

Despite enjoying the USHL, Savoie is very excited to be back in Manitoba with the ICE. There are big performance expectations for Savoie however, considering former ICE forward and captain Peyton Krebs has moved professional to the Vegas Golden Knights. Krebs earned 43 points in 24 games for the team in the shortened season.

“Losing Krebs is obviously a big thing for our team,” said Savoie. “He was a big part of our group the last few years wearing the captain and leading our team, so I know that boys are going to miss him this year. He was a great leader for us so I think some guys are really going to step up this year and fill those shoes.”

Savoie is particularly confident with returning veterans Jakin Smallwood (right wing), Carson Lambos (defenseman), and Connor McClennon (right wing) believing they will be great leaders for the team. Lambos and McClennon were also NHL draft picks in 2021 and 2020. 

Savoie also feels less pressure knowing forward Connor Geekie is in a similar position as him. Geekie was second overall pick behind Savoie in 2019, and is another 2022 NHL prospect. He has played with the ICE since 2019, and earned 23 points for the team in the shortened season.

“Our group’s excited with what we have in our dressing room. We have a lot of depth upfront and in the back-end. We have high expectations for ourselves and we’re going to do everything we can to get better every day.”

The Winnipeg ICE opens their 2021-22 season at Westoba Place tomorrow (Oct. 1) against their rivals The Brandon Wheat Kings.