The Rochester Amerks announced they signed forward Red Savage to a two-year AHL contract. The 22-year-old was a fourth-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2021. He became a free agent on August 15th when the Red Wings’ rights expired.

The Arizona-born forward was the captain of the Michigan State University hockey club last season. In his second year with the Spartans, he registered five goals and 11 points in 20 games. His junior season and first year at Michigan State was his most productive season in the NCAA. He recorded 10 goals and 27 points in 38 games.

Savage was drafted out of the US National Team Development program, which the Sabres are rather familiar with. They have connections throughout their organization and appear to target players from the program at times. Amerks head coach Michael Leone was an assistant on the U17 US National Team during Savage’s 2019-20 season with the program and again following season on the U18 team. He also spent time around Sabres assistant coach Seth Appert during the 2019-20 campaign, who was coaching the U18 team at the time.

This likely played a role in Savage electing to sign with the Amerks.

Our prospect guru, Austin Garret, provides some further insight on the Amerks signing:

He was my 95th-ranked prospect in the 2021 draft. While he had gaudy point totals, offense never really was driven through Savage. He made the highly unusual move to Miami of Ohio, a destination that no NTDP players ever make. Unfortunately, he never could jump start his offense and transferred to Michigan State.

With quality linemates he played well, and the strength of his game has always been his motor and defensive game. He could play on a checking role in a pinch for the Sabres, but a career two-way AHL center seems to be his ceiling.

We’ll see if he can work his way towards an NHL contract in the future with the Sabres.

Photo Credit: US Today Sports