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Former Hab and Current Pee-wee coach...

February 14, 2020, 9:06 PM ET [168 Comments]
Karine Hains
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Quebec pee-wee Tournament is a world-famous event, not only is it an opportunity to see young talent on display but it can also be an occasion to catch up with former NHLers. When I checked my press guide on Wednesday, I realised that a former, Montreal Canadien was in town to coach his youngest son’s team and I thought I’d make my way here to watch the game and interview the coach after work. I got here at 16:40 and got to watch the end of a game between the Leigh Valley Phantoms and the Suisse Romande Béliers. I can’t say that I’m used to watching pee-wee hockey but I must say I did find it quite entertaining and it was over in a flash. They do play 3 periods but they last 10-12 and 15 minutes each so it really just flies by.

Next up, the New York Islanders were taking on the Japan Select team in the AA-Élites category. Does that second team sound familiar? It might be because there was an article the other day on the Canadiens’ website about them meeting up with Nick Suzuki in Montreal on February 9th. As you most probably know, Suzuki is a fifth generation Canadian who’s also a quarter Japanese. Japan Select found themselves down a pair of goals after the first two frames but they did manage to get on the board in the 3rd and celebrated proudly even though they ultimately lost 2-1. The Centre Videotron crowd gave them a big ovation as the DJ played Big in Japan.

Meanwhile, I spotted the head coach of the Detroit Compuware team which was scheduled to play next on the main concourse and I approached him to see if he would be willing to give me a short interview. Who’s the coach you say? Well, he was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 8th round (171st overall) at the 1991 NHL entry draft and played for the Habs from the 1993-1994 to the 2001-2002 season…That’s right Brian Savage is here to coach his youngest son in the tournament.

Since he hung up his skates in 2006, he has kept himself busy coaching youth hockey especially since he has 3 sons who all play, Ryan, Red and Rory are all hoping to make the NHL one day. When asked if he thought that this was in their future, Savage replied that they were for sure on the right path but that the road there is far from easy. This is his third time in Québec for the pee-wee tournament as his eldest two competed in 2012 and 2016. Now, both are committed to play hockey in Ohio for Miami University like their father did. The eldest is actually there already while his second son is currently with the USNT development program. They are both forwards while the baby of the family is a defenseman unlike his dad. When I asked him which position he played, he replied with pride in his eyes that he’s actually his number one defenseman.

Savage says that they have a very good team but that every team has a chance to win the tournament since the competition is stiff. Yesterday, they played in an exhibition game against the Burnaby Winter Club Bruins at Pavillon de la Jeunesse and they lost that one. That team was beaten 4-0 by the other Detroit outfit earlier today, just goes to show that anything can happen on the day.

He may be a defenseman but there is definitely some offensive flair in the youngster though, he took the puck up the ice on his team’s first goal and got himself a secondary assist for his trouble. Unsurprisingly, he wears number 49 just like his dad did. As the game went on, it became more and more evident that young Rory Savage is very much an offensive defenseman and that he really knows what he’s doing, always looking to join the rush but showcasing some great decision making and staying back when needs be. In the end, Savage’s team won 3-2 and will be back in action Wednesday morning against the Boston Jr. Eagles. After the game, the boys looked elated especially the goaltender who bursts into the locker room letting out a “Wooooooo!” worthy of Rick Flair but who wouldn’t do that after making a game-saving save on a breakaway? As for the coach, he looked rather pleased with the outcome and did confirm that his son was an offensive minded defenseman and agreed to pose for a picture with him.



Since the team isn’t playing until Wednesday, Savage will be driving down to Montreal tomorrow to catch the Canadiens vs Stars game with his wife. He says it’s been ages since he caught a game in Montreal with her and he’s really looking forward to it.
This just out, Ken Dryden was meant to attend the pee-wee tournament to meet fans and sign autographs (since his grandson is competing) but apparently he won’t be able to make it…That’s a real shame as I was really looking forward to speaking to this Canadiens’ legend…
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