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EDMONTON — Matthew Savoie grew up a fan of the Edmonton Oilers and was quietly rooting for them last season during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Now the 20-year-old forward prospect is a member of the Oilers after being acquired from the Buffalo Sabres for forwards Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio on Friday.

Savoie, who hails from St. Albert, an Edmonton suburb, mentioned that during his younger days, he owned a few jerseys and accompanied his parents to games at both Rexall Place and Rogers Place. “I possess a [Ryan] Nugent-Hopkins jersey, and my dad and I have multiple jerseys, so it’s safe to say that we were a true Oilers household,” Savoie affirmed on Monday.

Savoie, who was chosen by Buffalo as the No. 9 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, endured a shoulder injury during the Sabres rookie camp. Despite this setback, Savoie managed to recover in time to debut in the NHL with the Sabres on November 10, 2023.

After a scoreless debut, he was transferred to the American Hockey League’s Rochester team. There, he showcased his skills by earning five points, including two goals and three assists, in just six games. Eventually, he made a comeback to the Western Hockey League to join Wenatchee, which moved from Winnipeg for the 2023-24 season.

Savoie recorded 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) during his 11-game stint with Wenatchee. On January 4th, he was exchanged to Moose Jaw in exchange for seven picks in the WHL Prospects Draft. In his new team, Savoie had an impressive performance, accumulating 47 points (19 goals, 28 assists) throughout 23 regular-season games. He continued his success in the playoffs, contributing 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 19 games, assisting Moose Jaw in securing their first-ever WHL championship and a spot in the 2024 Memorial Cup.

Savoie commented that the previous season was quite busy for him, as he found himself constantly on the go, playing for four different teams. Despite the chaos, he thoroughly enjoyed the experience. He had the opportunity to encounter various situations, work with multiple coaches and teammates, and he made sure to fully embrace each moment and learn from it.

Savoie joins a deep forward group in Edmonton, led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers reached Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final last season, losing 2-1 to the Florida Panthers. Edmonton re-signed forwards Connor Brown, Corey Perry, Mattias Janmark and Adam Henrique and added free agents Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner to the group.

Savoie expressed his excitement, stating, “The playoff run they went on and the vibrant atmosphere in the city make it thrilling to join this team. When you consider the roster and the impactful summer acquisitions, it’s evident that they are fully committed to success this year. I’m thrilled to be a part of this dynamic group and hopefully, I’ll be given a great opportunity.”

Savoie, who was a highly anticipated top-10 draft pick, was anticipated to play a significant role in Buffalo’s future. However, he expressed little surprise when he was traded slightly over two years later. It is worth noting that the Sabres have not made it to the Stanley Cup Playoffs since the 2010-11 season.

Savoie expressed his belief that the situation in Buffalo was favorable, highlighting the abundance of promising young prospects on the verge of making it to the League. He acknowledged the necessity for the team to part ways with a few players in order to improve the team’s current state by acquiring more seasoned and experienced players. Savoie comprehended the decision and expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Oilers.

Savoie, who has showcased his remarkable scoring abilities at the junior level, is eager to bring that same offensive prowess to the NHL. With a clean bill of health, he is poised to compete for a spot on the Oilers’ roster during training camp.

“I have a strong inclination towards playing at a high speed, both in terms of my game and my preference,” Savoie expressed. “My primary objective is to identify the optimum chances to score while also ensuring I am dependable on the defensive end.”

Even with Edmonton’s strong group of forwards, Savoie believes he is in the perfect situation. The Oilers, who have their key players back, will be seen as contenders for the Stanley Cup once again this season.

“I’ve had the opportunity to play on several teams during my junior career, and it’s been an incredible experience. We’ve consistently had the chance to compete for championships and have made some amazing runs. It’s truly exhilarating to be playing late in the year and fighting for titles. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to join in my pursuit of a championship.”