On Thursday night, Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard will play in his 800th NHL game, becoming the 776th player to reach the plateau.
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Even though Savard has only been wearing a Montreal sweater for four seasons, he spent the first ten seasons of his career with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who drafted him in 2009. As of 2024, he remains fifth all-time in games played for that franchise.
As Canadiens fans prepare to celebrate the milestone at the Bell Centre, we look at five fascinating things fans should know about Savard’s hockey career.
Will Become the 22nd Player From the 2009 Draft to Reach 800 Games
The Blue Jackets drafted Savard with the 94th pick in the fourth round at the 2009 Draft. Since then, only 21 players from that draft class have skated in 800 games, with only five making it past 1,000.
The leader of the group is John Tavares (1,111), followed by Ryan O’Reilly (1,076), Matt Duchene (1,060), Victor Hedman (1,054), and Nick Leddy (1,015). Savard will become the 22nd player to reach 800 games and could be joined shortly by Dmitry Orlov (793) and Andres Lee (762).
Won Five Awards in Junior Hockey in 2010
A season after being drafted into the NHL, Savard began his third year in the QMJHL with the Moncton Wildcats. At 20 years old, he won the Emile Bouchard and Kevin Lowe Trophies as the top defenseman in junior hockey and captured the QMJHL championship.
In addition to being named a first-team All-Star in the QMJHL and the CHL, he scored a career-high 77 points in 64 games, thanks to 13 goals and 64 assists. During his three seasons in the AHL, Savard never scored more than 43 points or more than 36 in the NHL.
Hasn’t Scored a Power Play Goal in Eight Seasons
Savard’s first NHL goal came at even strength on Feb. 7, 2012, against the Detroit Red Wings. His next goal came on the power play on Feb. 21, 2012. Interestingly, six of his first 22 career goals came on the man advantage, with his last one on Mar. 8, 2016. Since then, Savard has only scored 31 goals, all at even strength.
An Olympic Gold Medal Shy of the Triple Gold Club
After a decade patrolling the blue line in Columbus, Savard was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning (via a deal involving the Red Wings) on Apr. 10, 2021. He went pointless during 14 regular season games but picked up five assists in 20 playoff games, winning the Stanley Cup.
Savard’s Stanley Cup ring is on his mantle next to his 2015 World Championship Gold Medal with Team Canada. That spring, the team won its 27th title by going 10-0, with Savard chipping in four assists. Now, he only needs to win an Olympic Gold Medal to earn an induction into the Triple Gold Club, one of the highest honors a player can achieve in professional hockey.
One of Eight NHL Players From Saint-Hyachinte, QC
Quebec is no stranger to being the birthplace of many goalies who eventually made their way into the NHL, and Saint-Hyachinte is no exception. Out of the eight players from the city with a population of around 60,000, three were goalies, including Vincent Riendeau, Louis Domingue, and Denis DeJordy.
Regarding Saint-Hyachinte players, Savard is the only skater from his hometown to play in more than 50 NHL games, surpassing Jean-Paul Gladu (40), Marc-Andre Bourdon (45), Ossie Aubuchon (50), and Michel Achamabault (three).
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