Former NHLer Reggie Savage passes away at 53

The National Hockey League (NHL) is mourning the loss of one of its alumni.

Former NHLer Reginald Savage has passed away at the age of 53 after a battle with cancer, according to family members.

Savage was selected No. 15 overall in the 1988 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals.

The Montreal, Quebec product scored his first NHL goal on a penalty shot against the Minnesota North Stars on Nov. 18, 1992. Savage played 34 NHL games, scoring five goals and 12 points with the Capitals and Quebec Nordiques. His stick is currently in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

The Capitals released a statement on the passing of Savage, “His talent and love for the game fueled a memorable playing career that spanned 15 seasons across several professional leagues and multiple continents. Our entire organization extends our deepest condolences to his family and friends.” Savage is among 11 Black players in Capitals history who are honored in a permanent display that was placed in Capital One Arena in February 2022.

Savage was a star in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Victoriaville Tigres. In his first season, he registered 68 goals and 122 points in 68 games. He represented Canada at the 1989 world juniors, finishing as the second-leading scorer in the tournament with nine points in five games.

He enjoyed a long professional career playing in the IHL, American Hockey League, ECHL, United Hockey League and in Italy and Switzerland until 2004-05.