Carter Savoie is the first of two brothers who will be high end draft picks over the next few years. He is playing the wing on the most dominant line in the AJHL where he really drives a lot of the offensive production. He is most effective with the puck on his stick where he is a threat to shoot or pass and can carve open defenses with precision plays. He is constantly moving, providing good outlets for teammates, and forcing defenders to chase him constantly.
You could make a case for him going anywhere from 20-40 as his skating and the level of competition make him harder to project than most, but so many of his tools have a pro element to them that he likely hears his name on the first day of the draft this upcoming June.
| Carter Savoie | 2020 Draft Eligible |
|---|---|
| Position: LW, Shoots L | H/W: 5-9", 192 lbs |
| Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS) | Sherwood Park Crusaders, AJHL (28-30-22-52-40) |
Carter Savoie. Photo by Target Photography.
Skating: His top speed is fairly average which is not a great review but his agility and acceleration are where he stands out a little more. There is an elusiveness to his game that suggests he is moving faster than he truly is. He can shift speeds and directions with minimal movement which helps keep his speed as he moves around the ice. Coming out from the corner he keeps his body low and maintains his speed as he heads into traffic, which can catch the opposition off guard. Grade: 50
Shot: Savoie has a truly impressive shot. He shoots to the far side more than most players I have seen, which is risky, but he can make it work because he is accurate. When one timing the puck he is able to reach less than perfect passes and get them on net. From distance he can release a hard wrist shot that will beat a goalie clean without a screen. Where his shot is most effective is in traffic. He will take a hit to release a shot, get the puck off with defenders draped all over him, and keep his stick free while battling for space in front of the net, making him a constant threat to shoot even when well defended. Grade: 60
Skills: Savoie is a gifted puck handler which creates tension among defenders. He is able to draw the defense towards him then stickhandle the puck to create a passing lane. When he passes, they are accurate and hard. He can create a lane for cross-ice passes, a quick give and go down low, and can move pucks along the wall despite being undersized. He is always ready to receive the puck either to shoot, carry or make another pass. He dictates the play from the wing and constantly is stretching defenses as he moves into the neutral zone. He is confident enough to consistently carry the puck into the offensive zone, on the powerplay or at five on five. He has a good stick check and strip move that is very effective when he is back checking. He is dangerous in the offensive zone or an off the rush chance and is a lethal finisher. Grade: 60
Smarts: Is an intelligent player and you can see that in how he moves his feet immediately after moving the puck. There is no hesitation about where to go, whether moving to open ice, or driving to the net immediately after making a play as he understands spacing, and finds shooting locations to get off his shot. He has a great ability to anticipate a turnover and start moving for a breakout pass. While he occasionally gets caught cheating for offensive but in general he creates so many free zone exits for his team that the risk is worth it. He understands how to angle the puck carrier and limit his options, he is in lanes and processes the game quick enough that he can jump on errant passes or small deflections. He sometimes can lose interest in games as his team can be thoroughly dominant for long stretches of games. He thrives in the open ice of a powerplay where he exploits slow defensive rotations with his shot or quick passes. Grade: 60
Physicality: For a player listed at 5-9” his impresses me with his physical play. In games where he is challenged physically (other top AJHL teams really focus on roughing him up) he responds with a blend of hard hitting forechecks, after the whistle scrums, and a general chippiness that teams and teammates both value. He stands up for himself and his teammates respond in kind. He rarely gets outmatched in puck battles when he is in the game, especially in the offensive zone. Grade: 55
Overall Future Projection (OFP): 57