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David Savard

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David Savard
Savard with the Montreal Canadiens in 2021
Born (1990-10-22) October 22, 1990 (age 35)
Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 235 lb (107 kg; 16 st 11 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Right
Played for Columbus Blue Jackets
Tampa Bay Lightning
Montreal Canadiens
National team  Canada
NHL draft 94th overall, 2009
Columbus Blue Jackets
Playing career 2010–2025

David Savard (born October 22, 1990) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He was selected in the fourth round, 94th overall, by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2009 NHL entry draft. Savard also played for the Tampa Bay Lightning, with whom he won the Stanley Cup in 2021, and Montreal Canadiens.

Playing career

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Early years

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Born in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Savard played in the 2003 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Collège Antoine-Girouard as well as the Richelieu Éclaireurs in 2004.[1] He, along with the Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François of the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League (QMAAA), finished third overall at the 2007 Telus Cup.[2]

Junior

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Savard was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL entry draft after his second season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) where he was known as a reliable defenceman with strong defensive skills.[3]

The following QMJHL season, Savard began to support more in an offensive aspect, aiming to become a more complete player. Consequently, he was awarded many league trophies at year's end, including the Émile Bouchard Trophy as the best defensive defenceman, and the Kevin Lowe Trophy awarded to the best overall QMJHL defenceman, while finishing first in league scoring among defencemen and establishing a QMJHL record for assists at his position.[4]

In the same year, Savard was selected to participate in the Subway Super Series, wearing a Quebec jersey in the tournament.[5] He was also named the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Defenceman of the Year, recognizing his remarkable QMJHL season with the Moncton Wildcats in which they captured the President's Cup championship en route to a berth in the 2010 Memorial Cup.[6]

Professional

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Columbus Blue Jackets

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Savard with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2013

In October 2010, while still eligible for major junior hockey, the Blue Jackets assigned Savard to play with the team's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the Springfield Falcons,[7] where he finished as the team's top-scoring defenceman and second among all rookie blueliners leaguewide.[8] He again joined the AHL ranks to begin the 2011–12 season.[9]

On February 7, 2012, Savard scored his first career NHL goal against Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Bäckström.[10] After playing 31 games during the 2011–12 NHL season at the age of 21, he was slowed by an injury suffered in December 2012, shortly before the league lockout resolution.[11] Thereafter, Savard spent the majority of the 2012–13 season with Springfield.[12]

In July 2013, as a restricted free agent, Savard was re-signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Blue Jackets organization.[13]

Savard played his first full NHL season with the Blue Jackets for the 2013–14 campaign,[14] registering 15 points in 70 games. On July 5, 2014, he signed a two-year contract extension with the team.[15]

On September 15, 2015, Savard inked a five-year, $21.25 million contract extension with the Blue Jackets.[16] During the 2016–17 season, he would effectively set a franchise record in plus–minus at +33.[17]

Tampa Bay Lightning

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Entering the final year of his contract in the pandemic delayed 2020–21 season, Savard collected one goal and six points through 40 regular-season games played. Approaching the annual NHL trade deadline, Savard was involved in a three-way trade involving Columbus, the Detroit Red Wings, and eventual destination Tampa Bay Lightning.[18] He and the Lightning would then go on to win the Stanley Cup, with Savard contributing five points in 20 playoff games, including an assist on Ross Colton's series-clinching goal in Game 5 of that year's Stanley Cup Finals.[19]

Montreal Canadiens and retirement

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Following his Stanley Cup run with the Lightning, Savard opted to test free agency, securing a four-year, $14 million deal with the Montreal Canadiens on July 28, 2021.[20] Drawing into the Canadiens' lineup amidst team captain and fellow bluneliner Shea Weber being placed on long-term injured reserve, Savard was regarded as part of the attempt to compensate for the foregoing's loss. Despite this, he antithetically became a focus of criticism from fans after what was an historically poor season for the team overall.[21] On January 29, 2022, it was announced that Savard would miss eight weeks of the 2021–22 season due to an ankle injury.[22] While injury likewise plagued his 2022–23 production,[23] Savard received recognition as the team's annual recipient of the Jacques Beauchamp Molson Trophy, awarded to the player deemed to have had a dominant role during the course of the regular season.[24] At the conclusion of the 2023–24 season, Savard was again named recipient of the Jacques Beauchamp-Molson Trophy, becoming just the fourth player in franchise history to accomplish this feat in consecutive years.[25]

During the 2024–25 season, he skated in his 800th career NHL game,[26] joining a select few from his respective draft class to reach this milestone.[27] Shortly after the Canadiens secured their berth in the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs, Savard announced that he would retire at the end of his team's respective postseason run,[28] which culminated following their first-round series defeat by the Washington Capitals on April 30, 2025.[29]

International play

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Medal record
Representing  Canada
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal – first place2015 Czech Republic

Savard was a member of Canada's gold medal-clinching team at the 2015 World Championships, where they won for the first time since 2007 with a perfect 10–0 record.[30]

Personal life

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Savard married his longtime girlfriend, fellow Québécois Valerie Lachance, in their home province during the 2018 offseason.[31] The couple has three children: Emma, Elliot and Zachary.[3]

He is the youngest of three siblings.[32]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2006–07Séminaire St-François BlizzardQMAAA 4410162652 181121310
2007–08Baie-Comeau DrakkarQMJHL 3516722 —————
2007–08Moncton WildcatsQMJHL 3205518 —————
2008–09Moncton WildcatsQMJHL 689354433 10551010
2009–10Moncton WildcatsQMJHL 6413647736 21114158
2010–11Springfield FalconsAHL 7211324318 —————
2011–12Springfield FalconsAHL 444182272 —————
2011–12Columbus Blue JacketsNHL 31281016 —————
2012–13Springfield FalconsAHL 605263140 82358
2012–13Columbus Blue JacketsNHL 40000 —————
2013–14Columbus Blue JacketsNHL 705101528 60444
2014–15Columbus Blue JacketsNHL 8211253671 —————
2015–16Columbus Blue JacketsNHL 654212545 —————
2016–17Columbus Blue JacketsNHL 746172344 50114
2017–18Columbus Blue JacketsNHL 814121632 60000
2018–19Columbus Blue JacketsNHL 828162436 101234
2019–20Columbus Blue JacketsNHL 680111135 100332
2020–21Columbus Blue JacketsNHL 4015624 —————
2020–21Tampa Bay LightningNHL 140000 200556
2021–22Montreal CanadiensNHL 623141736 —————
2022–23Montreal CanadiensNHL 623172040 —————
2023–24Montreal CanadiensNHL 606182424 —————
2024–25Montreal CanadiensNHL 751141536 50110
NHL totals 87054188242467 621161720

International

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Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2015 Canada WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 10 0 4 4 6
Senior totals 10 0 4 4 6

Awards and honours

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Award Year Ref
QMJHL
President's Cup champion 2010 [3]
Emile Bouchard Trophy 2010 [33]
Kevin Lowe Trophy 2010 [34]
First All-Star Team 2010 [35]
CHL
CHL Defenceman of the Year 2010 [6]
First All-Star Team 2010 [36]
NHL
Stanley Cup champion 2021 [37]
Montreal Canadiens
Jacques Beauchamp Molson Trophy 2023, 2024 [38][25]

References

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  1. ↑ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  2. ↑ Brien, David (April 20, 2015). "Pride of a province". Hockey Canada. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 Brien, David (December 22, 2020). "Our Alumni | David Savard's perseverance has paid off". Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Retrieved January 9, 2025 – via CHL.ca.
  4. ↑ "David Savard Stats And News". Montreal Canadiens. Retrieved January 10, 2025 – via NHL.com.
  5. ↑ "QMJHL Announces 2009 Subway Super Series Roster" (Press release). Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. October 22, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2025 – via OurSportsCentral.com.
  6. 1 2 "Savard named CHL Defenceman of the year". Moncton Wildcats. May 21, 2010. Retrieved July 25, 2024 – via CHL.ca.
  7. ↑ Brown, Gary (October 29, 2010). "Rookie defensemen playing key role with Springfield Falcons". Mass Live. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  8. ↑ Drottar, Patrick (December 21, 2011). "Columbus Blue Jackets: A Look at the Team's Up-and-Coming Rookies". Bleacher Report. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Columbus Blue Jackets assign defender David Savard to AHL Springfield Falcons". The Hockey News. October 26, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Blue Jackets edge Wild with rookie's help". CBC Sports. February 7, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  11. ↑ Scheig, Mark (April 12, 2021). "Blue Jackets' David Savard: A Master Class in Professionalism". TheHockeyWriters.com. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Jackets recall Savard before he gets to AHL". Sportsnet.ca. April 18, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Savard Signs 1-Year Deal". The Columbus Dispatch. July 15, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  14. ↑ Wharnsby, Tim (April 28, 2014). "Monday Musings: Jonas Hiller, David Savard step up". CBC Sports. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Blue Jackets re-sign Savard, add Gibbons". Sportsnet.ca. July 5, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  16. ↑ Cooper, Josh (September 8, 2015). "Blue Jackets' David Savard cashes in with five-year extension". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  17. ↑ Newland, Jason (August 15, 2023). "58 Days Until Opening Night". The Hockey News. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  18. ↑ "Savard traded to Lightning in multi-team deal". TSN.ca. April 10, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  19. ↑ Lomon, Chris (July 7, 2021). "Tampa Bay Lightning win 2021 Stanley Cup". NHLPA.com. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Four-year contract for defenseman David Savard". Montreal Canadiens. July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021 – via NHL.com.
  21. ↑ Berkshire, Andrew (November 10, 2021). "By the numbers: First appearances deceiving for Habs blue-liner Savard". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Habs D Savard out eight weeks with ankle injury". TSN.ca. January 29, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  23. ↑ D'Amico, Marco (December 18, 2022). "Canadiens Make Call-Up With Savard On IR, More Coming?". MontrealHockeyNow.com. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  24. ↑ Ahmad, Safia (April 25, 2023). "David Savard: The unsung hero". Montreal Canadiens. Retrieved January 10, 2025 – via NHL.com.
  25. 1 2 "David Savard wins Jacques Beauchamp-Molson Trophy". Montreal Canadiens. April 16, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2025 – via NHL.com.
  26. ↑ @CanadiensMTL (October 17, 2024). "Un bel accomplissement pour David Savard. Félicitations!👏

    A great achievement for unsung hero David Savard. Congratulations!

    #GoHabsGo"     (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  27. ↑ Gagne, Ryan (October 16, 2024). "5 Fascinating Things To Know About David Savard". The Hockey News. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  28. ↑ Wegman, Josh (April 18, 2025). "Savard to retire after Canadiens' playoff run". theScore.com. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
  29. ↑ Kulesa, Anna (May 1, 2025). "Canadiens line up to hug Savard after final NHL game". NHL.com. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Canada's National Men's Team wins gold medal at 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship". Hockey Canada. May 17, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  31. ↑ Reed, Tom (September 17, 2018). "With a wedding behind him, Blue Jackets need adaptable David Savard to form another successful partnership". The Athletic. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  32. ↑ Lorange, Simon-Olivier (September 22, 2021). "L'équipe et rien d'autre" [The team and nothing else]. La Presse (in French). Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  33. ↑ "WILDCATS RIGHT ON "Q" AT AWARDS GALA". Moncton Wildcats. March 31, 2010. Retrieved July 10, 2024 – via CHL.ca.
  34. ↑ "Team Awards". Moncton Wildcats. Retrieved July 10, 2024 – via CHL.ca.
  35. ↑ "Hoffman named MVP of the QMJHL". Sportsnet.ca. April 1, 2010. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  36. ↑ "Awards - CHL First All-Star Team". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  37. ↑ Kaplan, Emily (July 8, 2021). "Tampa Bay close out Montreal Canadiens to win second straight Stanley Cup". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  38. ↑ "David Savard wins Jacques Beauchamp-Molson Trophy". Montreal Canadiens. April 13, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2024 – via NHL.com.
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