David Savard Bio
David Savard is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman born on October 22, 1990, in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada. He was drafted 94th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and enjoyed a professional career from 2010 to 2025 that included a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning and a later tenure with the Montreal Canadiens.
Early Life and Background
David Savard grew up in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, and developed his early hockey skills in local minor programs. He competed in notable youth tournaments, including the 2003 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament, and played in Quebec Junior AAA competition before advancing to major junior hockey.
Savard moved into the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Moncton Wildcats, where his play drew attention for its defensive reliability and steady progression. His junior performances combined strong defensive play with increased offensive support, establishing him as one of the leading defencemen in the QMJHL in his final seasons.
Path to Hockey
Savard’s rise through junior ranks culminated in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, when the Columbus Blue Jackets selected him in the fourth round at 94th overall. In the QMJHL he earned multiple awards and set assist marks for a defenceman while helping Moncton capture the President’s Cup and earn a berth in the 2010 Memorial Cup.
During his final junior season he was recognized with several honors including league trophies for defensive excellence and was named the Canadian Hockey League Defenceman of the Year. Participation in events such as the Subway Super Series underlined his standing among his regional peers and contributed to his draft positioning and professional opportunities.
David Savard Career
Early Career (2010–2013)
Savard began his professional career in 2010 and split early seasons between the American Hockey League and the National Hockey League. Assigned to the Springfield Falcons of the AHL while still eligible for major junior, he finished as his team’s top-scoring defenceman and among the top rookie blueliners in the AHL before moving into NHL duty.
He scored his first NHL goal on February 7, 2012, and by the 2011–12 and 2012–13 seasons had established himself as a regular option in Columbus. Injuries affected portions of these early years, and Savard spent parts of the 2012–13 season back in the AHL as he worked to regain form and ice time.
Columbus Blue Jackets Breakthrough (2013–2021)
David Savard skated in his first full NHL season with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2013–14 and became a steady presence on their blue line. He signed successive contract extensions with the club, including a multi-year deal in 2015 that reflected the team’s confidence in his defensive play and reliability in minutes against top competition.
During his tenure in Columbus he produced consistent defensive results and reached measurable franchise highs, including a standout 2016–17 season in which he set a franchise plus–minus mark at plus 33. His work with the Blue Jackets emphasized positionally sound defending, effective gap control, and a willingness to contribute on the penalty kill.
Tampa Bay Lightning Breakthrough (2021)
Approaching the 2020–21 trade deadline Savard was moved in a three-way deal that ultimately sent him to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He integrated into the Lightning lineup for the playoff run and contributed five points in 20 postseason games, providing defensive depth and experience during the club’s run to the Stanley Cup.
Savard played a supporting role in Tampa Bay’s 2021 championship, including registering an assist on the series-clinching goal in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final. The title represented the highest team achievement of his career and a defining moment in his professional record.
Montreal Canadiens Era (2021–2025)
Following the 2021 Stanley Cup victory Savard signed a four-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens as a free agent. His arrival was framed as part of the Canadiens’ effort to reinforce the defensive corps amid injuries to veteran blueliners, and he drew into the lineup as an experienced right-shot defenceman.
In Montreal, Savard faced both criticism and recognition as team results and individual availability fluctuated. He missed time with an ankle injury in the 2021–22 season and dealt with further injury interruptions, yet he was honored by teammates and fans with the Jacques Beauchamp-Molson Trophy as the Canadiens’ annual recipient for his dominant role in the regular season in consecutive years.
Driving Style and Strengths
Savard’s playing style combined positional discipline, effective shot-blocking and penalty-killing ability with steady puck management from the right side. He was valued for his physical presence, reliable decision-making in his own zone, and the ability to log dependable minutes against opposing top lines.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Savard’s career include his first NHL goal on February 7, 2012, a franchise high plus–minus season with Columbus in 2016–17, winning the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021, earning gold with Team Canada at the 2015 IIHF World Championship, and skating in his 800th NHL game during the 2024–25 season.
David Savard Career Wins
Across his career Savard collected team and international championships that stand as primary career victories. He won the Stanley Cup in 2021 with the Tampa Bay Lightning and was a member of Canada’s gold medal team at the 2015 IIHF World Championship.
NHL Highlights
Savard’s NHL highlights include becoming a regular top-four defenceman for the Columbus Blue Jackets, setting a franchise plus–minus mark in 2016–17, and contributing to the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2021 Stanley Cup run. He reached the 800-game milestone in 2024–25, marking long-term durability and sustained NHL service.
Other Wins & Perfromances
At the junior level Savard collected several awards in the QMJHL, including trophies recognizing defensive excellence and the CHL Defenceman of the Year honor while helping the Moncton Wildcats to the President’s Cup and a Memorial Cup appearance. Internationally, he was on Canada’s gold medal team at the 2015 World Championship.
David Savard Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
David Savard is the youngest of three siblings. Public records and profiles identify his family roots in Quebec, though details about his parents have not been widely published.
Personal Life
Savard married longtime partner Valerie Lachance in the 2018 offseason. The couple has three children, daughters and sons named Emma, Elliot and Zachary, and they have maintained a private home life while Savard pursued his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2024–25 season Savard recorded his 800th NHL game and remained an experienced presence in Montreal’s lineup. After the Canadiens secured a playoff berth, he announced he would retire at the end of the team’s postseason run.
Montreal’s 2025 playoff series ended in a first-round defeat by the Washington Capitals on April 30, 2025, and Savard concluded his career following that postseason. His retirement closed a 15-year professional journey that included junior trophies, international gold, and an NHL championship.