Chicago Blackhawks prospect Samuel Savoie was stretchered off the ice after suffering an injury during the Minnesota Wild’s preseason game at the Xcel Energy Center on Saturday night.
Savoie was injured late in the second period after chasing a puck in the corner. After making some contact with Wild defenseman Alex Gologoski, Savoie slid into the boards feet first and laid on the ice while reportedly screaming in pain.
Oh man, this does not look good for Sam Savoie. He was screaming in pain and is now being stretchered off the ice. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/JCskoUjYQW
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) October 1, 2023
Savoie was taken off on a stretcher and gave a thumbs-up to the crowd, but according to NBC Chicago’s Charlie Roumeliotis, several players were shaken up including Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson, who needed “a few deep breaths” before play continued.
“He was in a little bit of pain, so we’re just hoping the best for him,” Richardson said. “…He’s a very gregarious young man, he’s really well-liked so it was a good relief for us to see that for sure.”
Savoie was selected by the Blackhawks with the 81st overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft and the 19-year-old recorded 59 points (26 G, 33 A) in 60 games with the Gatineau Olympiques last season. Richardson did not provide an update on Savoie’s status after the game but said he was being evaluated for a lower-body injury.
The Wild went on to win Saturday’s preseason game in overtime by a score of 3-2.
