The Vancouver Canucks draft pick was hit by a car during rookie camp this past September and has been suffering the effect of a concussion ever since. But after a lengthy recovery, Sauve is expected to make his professional debut this weekend.
Today, the American Hockey League’s Manitoba Moose officially sent Sauve to the Canucks’ East Coast Hockey League affiliate, the Victoria Salmon Kings.
"He's a top-end second-round draft pick and a lot of Vancouver and Manitoba people will be at our next five or so games to see if Yann is where they want him to be [in terms of fitness and recovery]," said Salmon Kings GM and head coach Mark Morrison to the Victoria Times-Colonist today.
"He's a good skater with a big body. He brings everything."
Sauve is expected to dress for the ECHL club tonight when they host the Idaho Steelheads.
The 20-year old has been with the Moose for most of the season but has not played in a game because of his injury.
"He's not there yet," Manitoba head coach Claude Noel said to Winnipeg Free Press yesterday prior to the announcement of his assignment to the ECHL. "He does need some heavy practice. We've got to sort through that. He's ready to go. He just needs timing. It's been three months. He needs to play. It's hard to play at this level and expect he'll fall right in."
Sauve had one of the year’s best quotes in the Free Press: "It's not really a good time to get injured -- as soon as you step in the pros you get hit by a car or whatever.”
There was a lot of mystery surrounding Sauve’s health after Telegraph-Journal sports columnist Peter McGuire wrote a piece on how the Canucks were keeping his status – and Sauve – quiet.
In four seasons with QMJHL Saint John, Sauve had 20 goals and 82 assists in 251 regular season games. Last season, Sauve appeared in 61 games for the Sea Dogs scoring 36 points (7g-29a) while serving 65 minutes in penalties. The defenseman also helped lead Saint John to the QMJHL Final this past spring where he recorded 15 points (5g-10a) and 36 penalty minutes in 21 playoff contests.
Photo Credit: Winnipeg Free Press
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