On Thursday evening, Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard will play in his 800th NHL sport, changing into the 776th participant to achieve the plateau.
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Regardless that Savard has solely been carrying a Montreal sweater for 4 seasons, he spent the primary ten seasons of his profession with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who drafted him in 2009. As of 2024, he stays fifth all-time in video games performed for that franchise.
As Canadiens followers put together to have a good time the milestone on the Bell Centre, we take a look at 5 fascinating issues followers ought to find out about Savard’s hockey profession.
Will Change into the twenty second Participant From the 2009 Draft to Attain 800 Video games
The Blue Jackets drafted Savard with the 94th decide within the fourth spherical on the 2009 Draft. Since then, solely 21 gamers from that draft class have skated in 800 video games, with solely 5 making it previous 1,000.
The chief of the group is John Tavares (1,111), adopted by Ryan O’Reilly (1,076), Matt Duchene (1,060), Victor Hedman (1,054), and Nick Leddy (1,015). Savard will develop into the twenty second participant to achieve 800 video games and could possibly be joined shortly by Dmitry Orlov (793) and Andres Lee (762).
Received 5 Awards in Junior Hockey in 2010
A season after being drafted into the NHL, Savard started his third 12 months within the QMJHL with the Moncton Wildcats. At 20 years outdated, he received the Emile Bouchard and Kevin Lowe Trophies as the highest defenseman in junior hockey and captured the QMJHL championship.
Along with being named a first-team All-Star within the QMJHL and the CHL, he scored a career-high 77 factors in 64 video games, because of 13 targets and 64 assists. Throughout his three seasons within the AHL, Savard by no means scored greater than 43 factors or greater than 36 within the NHL.
Hasn’t Scored a Energy Play Aim in Eight Seasons
Savard’s first NHL purpose got here at even energy on Feb. 7, 2012, towards the Detroit Pink Wings. His subsequent purpose got here on the facility play on Feb. 21, 2012. Apparently, six of his first 22 profession targets got here on the person benefit, along with his final one on Mar. 8, 2016. Since then, Savard has solely scored 31 targets, all at even energy.
An Olympic Gold Medal Shy of the Triple Gold Membership
After a decade patrolling the blue line in Columbus, Savard was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning (through a deal involving the Pink Wings) on Apr. 10, 2021. He went pointless throughout 14 common season video games however picked up 5 assists in 20 playoff video games, successful the Stanley Cup.
Savard’s Stanley Cup ring is on his mantle subsequent to his 2015 World Championship Gold Medal with Staff Canada. That spring, the workforce received its twenty seventh title by going 10-0, with Savard chipping in 4 assists. Now, he solely must win an Olympic Gold Medal to earn an induction into the Triple Gold Membership, one of many highest honors a participant can obtain in skilled hockey.
One in all Eight NHL Gamers From Saint-Hyachinte, QC
Quebec isn’t any stranger to being the birthplace of many goalies who ultimately made their means into the NHL, and Saint-Hyachinte isn’t any exception. Out of the eight gamers from the town with a inhabitants of round 60,000, three had been goalies, together with Vincent Riendeau, Louis Domingue, and Denis DeJordy.
Concerning Saint-Hyachinte gamers, Savard is the one skater from his hometown to play in additional than 50 NHL video games, surpassing Jean-Paul Gladu (40), Marc-Andre Bourdon (45), Ossie Aubuchon (50), and Michel Achamabault (three).
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