Blue Jackets Sign 2009 Draft Pick Defenseman David Savard

Press Release

COLUMBUS, OHIO - The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed defenseman David Savard to a standard three-year entry level contract, General Manager Scott Howson announced today. As is club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Savard, 19, registered 13 goals and 64 assists for 77 points, 36 penalty minutes and had a +32 plus/minus rating in 64 games with Moncton of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 2009-10. He added 1-14-15 and eight penalty minutes in 21 playoff games to help the Wildcats win the QMJHL championship and earn a berth in the Memorial Cup. He was named the Canadian Hockey League Defenseman of the year, won the Emile-Bouchard Trophy as the QMJHL's defenseman of the year, was awarded the Kevin Lowe Trophy as the QMJHL's top defensive defenseman, was named to the QMJHL First All-Star Team and became the first defenseman in league history to lead the QMJHL in assists.

"David had an outstanding season this year, culminating in his winning the Kevin Lowe Trophy and helping Moncton get to the Memorial Cup," Howson said. "He plays a solid all-around game, and we are excited to add him to our group of young defensemen in the organization."

The St. Hyacinthe, Quebec native was Columbus' third pick, 94th overall, in the 2009 Entry Draft. He collected 23-110-133, 109 penalty minutes and a cumulative plus/minus rating of +40 in 199 career QMJHL games with Moncton and Baie-Comeau. He added 6-19-25 and 18 penalty minutes in 31 career playoff games.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)