The day after Réginald Savage's death was announced, the Maritimes Quebec Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) commissioner's office confirmed that the former Victoriaville Tigres star will be inducted into the circuit's Hall of Fame in 2024.
An independent committee had already selected Savage to bestow the honor last fall, the QMJHL said in a news release.
After a second season on the Midget AAA circuit in Quebec, which allowed him to stand out with a collection of 139 points in 42 games with the Riverains du Richelieu, Savage played rain or shine with the Tigres. He scored more than 50 goals in his three seasons at Centre-du-Québec, finishing the season with 122, 113 and 94 points.
Savage was retired by the Tigers with number 77 on November 4, 2011. According to the QMJHL's press release, Savage, who was one of the first players of color to shine in the circle, was respected by all for his “infectious smile and work ethic.”
In 1988, he was selected by the Washington Capitals in the first round, 15th overall. The striker then played 34 games in the National Hockey League (NHL), half of them with the Quebec Nordiques.
Savage died on December 24th at the age of 53 after a short battle with cancer. His sister Sonia Savage paid tribute to him in a post on Facebook.
“Reginald left us on December 24th after a short battle with devastating cancer,” she wrote. Reggie was no stranger to adversity, but unfortunately this time the game wasn't fair. The end of his life will have been like his journey on earth, he will have fought to the end.