'We know what the stakes are': Savoie, Geekie navigated NHL draft year together

Matthew Savoie and Conor Geekie knew they were in the midst of something special.

The star centres for the Winnipeg Ice — one an elusive offensive threat, the other a hulking force — spent the Western Hockey League season battling for their team.

The pair was also competing against one another.

Savoie sits as NHL Central Scouting's fourth-ranked North American skater heading into Thursday's first round of the 2022 draft, while Geekie is slotted in at No. 5.

It was a unique situation both players embraced.

"We really support each other," Savoie said. "He's a guy that I can always go to if I have any concerns, and vice versa."

"We know what the stakes are," Geekie added. "But we're both really good at just having fun."

The five-foot-nine, 170-pound Savoie finished with 35 goals and a team-leading 90 points in 2021-22 for the Ice, who made it to the third round of the WHL playoffs. The six-foot-four, 190-pound Geekie put up 24 goals and 70 points.

Savoie added 12 points in 10 post-season games — he missed five due to injury — and Geekie had 11 in his 15 contests this spring.

NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr said the pair possess both unique attributes and similar characteristics.

"Savoie likes to have the puck on his stick. He can generate plays and finish," Marr said. "Geekie's more the guy where he's there at the right time, right place. He knows how to navigate through traffic, protect the puck, get open and bury the chances in his own way.

"Two different style players, but they're both front-door, to-the-net types."

Like every draft prospect, the COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges. It was no different for Savoie and Geekie.

But similar to how they cut different figures on the ice, the duo took different