Former star player of the Victoriaville Tigres, Réginald Savage, one of the first black players to shine in the junior ranks in Quebec, died at the age of 53 following cancer.
Savage was a first-round pick of the Washington Capitals, 15th overall, in 1988. He then played 34 games in the National Hockey League (NHL), half of which with the Quebec Nordiques.
His former head coach with the Riverains de Richelieu, John Paris Jr., first made the announcement on his Facebook page Thursday evening.
“We have become very close over the years, and I offer my most sincere thoughts to his family members, his friends and a special thought to the hockey fans – Richelieu region and province of Quebec – who witnessed his progression from minor hockey to his first round draft by the Washington Capitals. We will miss you Reggie,” he wrote.
The hockey player’s son, Félix-Antoine Savage, confirmed the death of his father on the same social network.
“Have a good rest, father. I’m going to miss you,” he shared.
In Victoriaville, Réginald Savage had rain and shine at the end of the 1980s with seasons of 122, 113 and 94 points. The Tigers have also retired Savage’s number 77.