For Buffalo Sabres prospect and Upper Deck spokesman Matthew Savoie, the road to becoming the ninth overall pick in the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft™ was both a challenging and rewarding one.

Leading up to draft day in Montreal, Savoie was regarded as a potential top 10 selection and the hype around his vast set of skills was strong. The prediction of many scouts proved to be accurate when the Buffalo Sabres came up to make their choice and they called out his name to welcome him to their organization.

Five days after being drafted, Upper Deck announced Savoie had signed on as a spokesman within an exclusive trading card and collectible agreement. Among the items that can be found in the Upper Deck Authenticated store is a signed 16” X 20” Draft Day print which commemorates the day he joined the Sabres.

The journey to the Draft itself truly kicked off when the Kootenay ICE made him the first overall choice in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft. With that franchise relocating to Winnipeg soon after, he started 2019-20 at the major junior level but only stayed for 22 games. However, his status as one of the best prospects in junior hockey made it only natural that he received a card in the 2019-20 Upper Deck CHL set.

With a pandemic in full force, Savoie still found a way to play the next year and skated for the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints. Thanks to a 21-goal performance, he earned a spot on the league’s All-Rookie Team – but a return to WHL action was imminent. Fitting in perfectly with Winnipeg in 2021-22, he paced all rookies with 90 points and also appeared in the 2022 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

Returning to the WHL for the 2022-23 season, Savoie hit a career-high 95 points for Winnipeg and turned his game up another notch in the playoffs with a 29-point performance. At the end of the season, the Sabres brought him up to their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans.

During rookie camp prior to the 2023-24 campaign, Savoie indicated that he was ready for NHL duty. However, this debut was to be delayed slightly as he sustained an upper-body injury. Undeterred, he recovered quickly and started the year in Rochester.

After six games with the Amerks where he had put up a respectable five points, the Sabres called him up to play in his first NHL game on November 10, 2023. Taking to the ice against the Minnesota Wild, he was now eligible to appear on an official rookie card. While he would be sent back to the junior ranks soon after, collectors geared up for his Young Guns® card which will later appear in 2023-24 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey.

Matt Savoie’s Young Guns card available in 2023-24 Upper Deck Extended Series

Going back to juniors may be difficult for most prospects, but Savoie was determined to shine. The ICE had now become the Wenatchee Wild and he gave a commanding performance over his first 11 appearances with the new team by racking up 24 points. Named to Canada’s roster for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, he assumed the role of assistant captain.

Before returning to WHL action, the Wild traded Savoie away to the Moose Jaw Warriors for seven future draft picks. Undaunted by putting on yet another jersey, he thrived with his new team. Over the rest of the regular season schedule, he averaged over two points per game and added 24 points on the way to a WHL championship. At the Memorial Cup, the Warriors made it to the semi-final, and he once again made strong on-ice contributions.

>> View Savoie’s entire memorabilia collection here.<<