REDS Add Savoie

(FREDERICTON, NB) The defending U SPORTS and Atlantic University Sport champion UNB REDS are adding defenceman Nicolas Savoie to their roster for the remainder of the 2023-24 season and beyond.

Savoie, a native of Dieppe, NB, joins the REDS after starting the season with teams in the East Coast and American Hockey Leagues.

“Nico is a key addition to our program and had a fantastic QMJHL career which was capped by winning the Memorial Cup,” said REDS head coach Gardiner MacDougall. “He signed an AHL contract based on his outstanding performance last season.”

Before coming to UNB, Savoie split time with the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen and the AHL’s Rochester Americans.

“I felt like it was what was best for me,” said Savoie. “Getting to play in an amazing program with great coaches and practicing with and against the best university hockey players in the country. Getting an education with that is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”

Savoie’s time in the professional ranks came after a stellar major junior career with the Quebec Rempart that concluded with a Memorial Cup triumph last May.

He played 266 regular season QMJHL games with the Remparts, recording 130 points over five seasons.

Savoie’s final QMJHL seasons were his best. In 2021-22, he scored 14 goals and added 30 assists. In 2022-23, he scored seven goals and had 41 assists and was named a finalist for the league’s Kevin Lowe Memorial Trophy, awarded to the top defensive defenceman.

“I think I’m a very competitive two-way defenceman that brings intensity and a desire for winning to a very solid ‘D’ squad,” said Savoie. “I think Coach MacDougall brought me in because of character. I like to work hard and push my teammates to get better every day.”

“Nico is a top-notch defenceman who will adjust quickly to the AUS,” said MacDougall. “He’s equally adept at moving the puck and joining the attack while also shutting down our opponent’s top players. He has a great passion for hockey and life and is highly competitive and has been part of a winning organization in Quebec.”

In 2020, Savoie was named winner of the Gaétan Duchesne Trophy, awarded annually to the Remparts’ top defensive player and during the 2021-22 season, he served as one of the team’s assistant captains.

“I want to win here,” he said. “I want to be able to get better and make life-long friends while getting my education, and, hopefully, getting out with some more pro opportunities.”

Coach MacDougall says Savoie was part of his prospects program at a young age and that he’s followed Savoie’s progress.

“He was a key target of our recruiting class and we stayed patient as he got the opportunity to pursue pro hockey at the AHL and ECHL levels,” said MacDougall.

Savoie, who’ll study Business, is expected to make his REDS debut when the team travels to Saint Mary’s and Acadia this weekend.

STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTO BY: Cameron Fitch/UNB Media Services