Savoie headed to Crusaders?
"Our intention is to affiliate him" – Crusaders GM Kyle Chase.
"The family has been very receptive & Matt is on board… we are excited to have him around our organization."
— Tyler Yaremchuk (@tyleryaremchuk) April 18, 2019
In an interview with Tyler Yaremchuk of TSN1260 and the Inside the Cru podcast, Kyle Chase, the GM of the AJHL’s Sherwood Park Crusaders, said “Our intention is to affiliate him” when asked about the projected first overall pick in this year’s WHL bantam draft Matthew Savoie. Savoie had applied to Hockey Canada for exceptional status earlier this year which would have allowed him to play a full season of major junior next season. Hockey Canada denied that application and thus Savoie can only play in a maximum of five games in junior before his club team’s season ends. However, Chase said in the interview that there is a discussion about Savoie playing as many as 10-15 games.
Adding that there is talk about Savoie playing as many as 10-15 games next year where as most 15-year-olds can only play 5 games. https://t.co/7S7KG6oRsv
— Tyler Yaremchuk (@tyleryaremchuk) April 18, 2019
Also of note in the interview, Chase says Carter Savoie intends to return to the Crusaders for the 2019-20 season. The Winnipeg ICE (who hold the first overall pick in this year’s bantam draft) had acquired the elder Savoie’s WHL rights from the Regina Pats presumably as part of a plan to lure Matthew to the WHL.
Krebs, Tracey lead Team Canada to a 5-3 victory
Krebs & Tracey lead comeback effort as @HC_Men score five unanswered goals for win over ?? in #U18Worlds opener.
DETAILS ?? | https://t.co/kQKZrpy43J pic.twitter.com/iopL0Yqb5N
— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 18, 2019
Team Canada opened their U18 World Championships on Thursday with a victory 5-3 victory over Finland. It wasn’t a great start to the game as Canada trailed 3-0 midway through the game. However, they rallied with five unanswered goals to pick up the victory. Moose Jaw Warriors forward Brayden Tracey led the way with two goals and was named player of the game while Winnipeg ICE forward Peyton Krebs had one goal and one assist. Kamloops Blazers forward Connor Zary and Kelowna Rockets defenseman Kaedan Korczak each added an assist in the victory. In between the pipes, Prince George Cougars goaltender Taylor Gauthier made 39 saves on 42 shots for a .929 save percentage.
Elsewhere around the U-18s
Yegor Buyalski picked up a goal for Belarus in a 4-3 win over the Czech Republic in their opener at the World Under-18’s
— Moose Jaw Warriors (@MJWARRIORS) April 18, 2019
Also of note, Moose Jaw Warriors forward Yegor Buyalsky scored in Belarus’ 4-3 victory over the Czech Republic while Prince George Cougars forward Matej Toman had an assist for the Czechs.
Canada-Russia series heads to Saskatchewan
The 2019 @cibc #CANvsRUS Series is coming back to Saskatchewan! Games in Saskatoon on Nov. 13 & Prince Albert on Nov. 14.
DETAILS ? | https://t.co/HXCZXgoBBv pic.twitter.com/K6SGOIUVRO
— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 18, 2019
The highly-anticipated Canada vs. Russia series will be heading to Saskatchewan this fall as Saskatoon will play host on November 13th and Prince Albert will host on November 14th. The series acts as a mid-season look at some of the players that could represent Canada and Russia at the upcoming world juniors.
Lowry sets Jets record
At :12, Adam Lowry scores the fastest goal to start a playoff game in #GoJetsGo history
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 19, 2019
In the NHL, Adam Lowry (204 points in 235 games played with Swift Current) broke the Winnipeg Jets franchise record for fastest goal to start a playoff game when he scored just 12 seconds into Game five of their Western Conference first-round series against the St. Louis. Blues.