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SAVIDGE SIGNS ON FOR 2022 - 2023 Season

By Brandon Laxson, 07/11/22, 7:30AM CDT

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Pacific Northwest Native Heading to State of Hockey

SAVIDGE SIGNS ON FOR 2022-23 SEASON

By Brandon Laxson

The Minnesota Mullets are glad to announce the addition of Nick Savidge to the roster for the 2022-23 season. The 2004 forward comes to the Midwest from the Pacific Northwest, with a few stops in between.

The Marysville, Wash., native has become a well-traveled individual in his pursuit of hockey. His stops have included South Dakota, Washington, Alaska, Utah, and then eventually he returned back to the Evergreen State where he most recently played Tier II hockey with the Seattle Totems and the Bellingham Blazers of the Western States Hockey League.

After a “tough” year during the Covid 2020 - 2021 season, the choice to stay local for the remainder of his high school year was an easy choice for Savidge. “I wanted to stay home and graduate from my high school and play hockey,” he said. “I also wanted to play junior hockey at the same time. I decided to sign with the Seattle Totems in the WSHL and get some junior experience.

“I began practicing with the Seattle Totems and three days before our opening game the team dissolved. I was given the opportunity to join the Bellingham Blazers of the WSHL for the remainder of the season. I was able to play six games with them and scored two goals and had three assists. After the sixth game, the Bellingham Blazers dissolved as well.”

Like a frog jumping from sinking lilypad to sinking lilypad, Savidge wanted to land somewhere solid. With the help of his advisor, he ended up playing with the West Coast Renegades 18U AAA team. He played in a few events with the Renegades and ended the season at the USA Hockey Rocky Mountain District tournament, competing at his highest level to date.

“After finishing the season, I knew I wanted to continue playing this year and sat down with my advisor and we made a plan which included becoming a member of the Minnesota Mullets.”

Between dissolving teams, COVID, and the cancellation of hockey all around him, Savidge pressed onward and finally landed on solid ground here in Minnesota. He continued to train and never gave up the dream. His persistence was noticed by Mullets’ Head Coach Chris Walby.

“He’s had plenty of ice for training and looked great at our spring main camp” said Coach when he got to see what Savidge could do in person. He was sought after by the coach because he combines skill and a left-handed shot to his position.

“That combination has been something I’ve focussed on this off-season as an area to address,” he mentioned. “Nick skates very well and has a great skill set. He’s sound in the defensive end, gets pucks out and creates offense. He isn’t scared of the contact or physical play that this level will bring. He’s also another left handed shot, which always seems to be hard to find.”

Savidge is just as excited to play for Coach Walby as the coach is excited for him to join the team. “His reputation to develop players and move them to college is the primary reason I decided to be a Mullet. The veterans I spoke with at main camp continually praised him and loved being a member of the team.”

By joining the Mullets, the forward wishes to further deepen his roots in Minnesota by playing college hockey after his time in juniors is done. Previously accepted to three MIAC schools, Savidge explained, “I have a connection to Concordia-Moorhead as my parents, sister, and aunts all graduated from there. Playing for the Mullets gives me the opportunity to play in Minnesota and stay in close contact with coaches and watch these college teams play during the season.”

Furthermore, he is excited to play in the State of Hockey and to compete with and against some of the best hockey players in North America while developing his offensive game.

“Being able to play for the Mullets will help me continue to develop this area of my game. I am looking forward to being part of the team and contributing to our success, which will be a championship this season.”