Former Edmonton Oilers prospect Carter Savoie has signed a one-year contract with TPS in the Finnish Liiga.

Savoie, drafted 100th overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, was not given a qualifying offer by the Oilers after a tough 2023-24 campaign in Bakersfield, making him an unrestricted free agent in need of a new home.

A native of St. Albert, Savoie was best known for scoring 53 goals in 54 games in the AJHL in 2019-20, one of the best statistical seasons in the league’s history. He also had two successful seasons with the University of Denver before joining the Bakersfield Condors as a pro in 2021-22.

During his tenure with the Condors, Savoie played in 109 games, recording 18 goals, 33 points, 42 penalty minutes, and a -11 rating. The 22-year-old forward spent the last two+ seasons with the Bakersfield Condors, the Oilers’ AHL affiliate, where he showed flashes of his scoring ability and offensive potential but struggled to gain traction with any consistency.

Joining TPS in the Liiga marks a new chapter in Savoie’s career. The Finnish league is known for its high level of competition and player development, hopefully providing Savoie with more opportunities to hone his skills, increase his ice time, use his shot, and help him get back on track as an NHL prospect.

According to the team’s official release, Savoie expects to play in the NHL, and this one-year bet will hopefully be what he needs to take a step closer:

“I think we found a very high-quality player. He has a clear goal to play in the NHL and is now looking for that jump from here to there. He is a very good player with attacking skills. He knows where he needs to improve and has decided to seek that next step and development here. We are very pleased that we got him. This is a player with great potential and who stands out in terms of attack,” says TPS sports director Rauli Urama.

Savoie’s move to the Finnish league is an interesting gamble for the young forward as he aims to continue his career as a professional and potentially return to the NHL in the future. While things didn’t work out in the Oilers organization, Savoie’s offensive potential is what made him a draft target in the first place, and it’s interesting to see that there were apparently no North American options for him.

As another wrinkle to the story, the Oilers traded for Carter Savoie’s brother Matthew in early July when they sent Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for the prized prospect.

SAVOIE’S PROFESSIONAL CAREER SO FAR