The Grueling Comeback: Samuel Savoie's Return

It hasn't taken long for rookie Samuel Savoie to cement himself as a fan favorite in Rockford. The rough-and-tumble forward isn't afraid to stir things up on the ice, much to the delight of the IceHogs' faithful.

This was front and center on Dec. 27, when he hit Iowa Wild defenseman David Jiricek and the preceded to land a mid-air, jump punch in the ensuing fight. Samuel motioned to the crowd as he was escorted to the penalty box, sending thousands to their feet

"I'm a guy who's is kind of fearless out there," Savoie said. My skating is my best asset, and I try to use that to my advantage every night. I play with an edge, that's my personality, and that's how I like to go out there and play,"

The moment was a long time coming for Savoie. His time with the organization began when he suffered a broken femur in a preseason game against the Minnesota Wild. The then 19-year-old underwent surgery on his right femur and began the long recovery process.

"You're kind of away for a while and don't know when you're going to be back; it's a battle mentally," Savoie said. "I'd say the biggest thing for me was it happened, and it was out of my control. I just tried to stay positive and do a lot of stuff around the rink."

The Dieppe, New Brunswick native was faced with the daunting task of recovering from a leg injury that doctors estimated would keep him sidelined for an entire season. Savoie began his rehab in Chicago and got a firsthand view of how daily life is at the pro level.

"I was fortunate enough to stay with the Blackhawks last year to watch their games, and I was working out and trying to get better," Savoie said. "It was a great experience to see what the guys are doing at the NHL level and the way they treat their bodies."

Five months later, Savoie returned to the ice for one last season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. The left winger put up 22 points in 21 games and helped carry the Huskies into the postseason.

"The fact that he was able to get back and play the second half of the season is a testament to his work ethic," IceHogs General Manager Mark Bernard said. "From a mental standpoint, for his confidence that was huge. He worked extremely hard last year in Chicago doing his therapy."

The stint with Rouyn-Norda assisted Savoie in regaining his poise on the ice and shaking off the rust from missing so much time.

"I got the chance to go back to junior and get my confidence back up," Savoie said. "When you come back from an injury, your touches and skating are rough for the first 5-10 games. So the earlier you can get those out of the way and start playing your game, the better, so it was great for me to get that."

Savoie has found success in his first season at the AHL level, scoring 17 points so far this year. He impacts the game in ways that don't appear on the scoresheet. Whether racing down the rink to cancel out icing or drawing penalties, Savoie's tenacity on the ice has earned him the admiration of his teammates, coaches, and management.

"He sparks our team in more ways than one. He impacts the game, whether he's on the scoresheet or not. He creates havoc on the forecheck; his speed is something the opposing defensemen have to be aware of. He's not going to back down," Interim Head Coach Mark Eaton said.

While his play on the ice helps the number 67 stand out come game time, his attitude and eagerness to learn have made a lasting impact on the IceHogs front office.

"He's such a likable kid. He comes to the rink every day with a smile on his face wanting to improve, wanting to learn more," Bernard said. "He reminds me a lot of Andrew Shaw when he was here. He plays with a lot of high tempo in his game, plays with pace. He transports the puck very well through the three zones, and there are always things to learn,"

Though Savoie is still in the early stages of his career, his approach to the game, both on and off the ice, has Rockford and the Blackhawks excited to see what the fiery kid can bring night in and night out.