AHL Franchise Suspends Player Seeking Departure from Team

PUBLICATION

Hunter Bowman
January 7, 2024 (2:46 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

The Rochester Americans, the AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres, raised eyebrows with an unconventional approach to terminating a player's contract, as revealed in a statement on their social media on Saturday.

In their post, the Americans announced the suspension of defenseman Nicolas Savoie, intending to terminate his American Hockey League contract upon his request to pursue educational opportunities by attending college.

"The @AmerksHockey have suspended defenseman Nicolas Savoie with the intention of terminating his American Hockey League contract at the request of Savoie to pursue educational opportunities," stated the Rochester Americans.

According to Ben Steiner, Savoie has committed to playing for the University of New Brunswick for the 2024-25 season, indicating that the 21-year-old will sit out the remainder of the current campaign.

"Hearing that the UNB Reds have a commitment in place to add defenseman Nicolas Savoie for next season. He played 21 ECHL games this season, and had a four-game callup for the AHL's Rochester Americans," shared Steiner.

While players leaving professional hockey for educational pursuits isn't rare, Savoie's case raises eyebrows due to the peculiar process he needs to undergo to exit the Americans' organization. The need to suspend him before terminating his contract adds an unusual twist.

In 21 ECHL games this season with the Jacksonville Icemen, the 2023 Memorial Cup champion accrued six points, while going pointless in three AHL games for Rochester.

Source: Bladeofsteel