The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday sent center prospect Matt Savoie to the Rochester Americans on an AHL conditioning loan.
Savoie, 19, hasn’t played since injuring his elbow and shoulder Sept. 18 in the finale of the Prospects Challenge. He has been on injured reserved all season.
He began practicing with the Sabres on Oct. 6.
As a teenager whose rights are owned by a Canadian Hockey League team, the Wenatchee Wild, Savoie can only be assigned to the minors for a conditioning assignment or following the conclusion of his junior team’s season.
Savoie, the ninth overall pick in 2022, played his first two pro games for the Amerks during the Calder Cup Playoffs last season.
The Amerks host the Charlotte Checkers on Wednesday, the Laval Rocket on Friday and play a road game against the Utica Comets on Saturday.
Savoie was expected to compete for an NHL roster spot before getting injured. When he finishes his assignment, the Sabres must decide whether to keep him or send him to the Wild, a Western Hockey League team.
