We recently wrote about how Matthew Savoie has been playing well of late in Bakersfield, as he makes a push to persuade the Edmonton Oilers to give him some NHL action during the second half of the 2024-25 regular season. Well, the latest news regarding the organisation's number one prospect, can only help his case.
As per the Condors' official site, Savoie has been selected to play in the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic, as part of the Pacific Division team. The extravaganza will take place at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California, on Feb. 2 and 3, and will include a skills competition, the AHL Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony, and a tournament between the four division teams.
Etching his name into the Condors history books
Savoie is the third Condors rookie in team history to be named to the AHL All-Star Classic, following on from Cooper Marody in 2019 and a certain Evan Bouchard the following year. In total, they have now had 11 representatives in their history, since joining the AHL ahead of the 2015-16 season.
As alluded to, Savoie has been on a tear of late following an up-and-down start to the season, which saw him score 10 points in 18 games. Since then though he's been in a zone, producing 14 points in 11 contests and including 10 in the past five.
In respect of the Condors as a whole, Savoie is second on the team in scoring with 24 points, tied-first with 15 assists, and leads the way with a +7 rating. Overall he has proven to be an excellent player for the organisation, since the Oilers surprisingly acquired him as part of the trade which sent Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio to the Buffalo Sabres.
The 21-year-old was originally selected ninth overall by the Sabres in the 2022 NHL entry draft, and is an extremely promising player who is renowned for his blazing speed. He is equally talented when it comes to both scoring goals himself and setting up his teammates, and receiving this honour from the AHL is just another step towards what the Oilers hope will eventually be NHL stardom.
* All statistics courtesy of theahl.com