We don’t talk much about him because the Canadian’s hopes in the NCAA and in the two other Canadian junior circuits are getting more attention, but Jared Davidson’s record will be one to watch.
With 82 points, including 38 goals, Davidson finished 1er rank of one of the best junior teams in the country this season. The Seattle Thunderbirds finished the campaign with 111 points, for the 2e Western Junior League (WHL) rank.
Collectively, the Thunderbirds will want to finish the job they started last year, when they lost in the WHL Finals, two wins from a Memorial Cup appearance.
“Our coaches are very strong on the numbers, explains Davidson, on the phone. They often told us that we went to 12% of winning last year, because we won 14 of the 16 games needed in the playoffs. This year, our goal is to reach that 12%. We made it to the final, we know what it takes. »
On a personal level, Davidson had set himself the goal of becoming a “more complete, two-way player.”
“Last year, I generated attack, but I wanted to neutralize the adversaries more. I will have to be complete at the next level, because it is difficult to produce attack there, so if the opponent scores goals against you, it is even worse. »
He claims to have obtained help from the Canadian in this regard, from Rob Ramage in particular. The information is interesting, because Davidson is the only hope of the Habs in the WHL, and one of only two to play west of the Mississippi, all levels combined, the other being goaltender Emmett Croteau in Iowa. He says he broke bread a few times with Ramage.
In short, the Habs are following their progress. It will now be interesting to see how his case will be handled. The team has until 1er June 2024 to offer him a contract, otherwise he will become a free agent.
Like Rafaël Harvey-Pinard and Xavier Simoneau, he was drafted at age 20, in his third year of eligibility. These two players were entitled to the same treatment: a one-year contract from the American League (AHL) when they left the junior ranks, then an entry contract from the NHL.
Such a method therefore allows the team to “buy” a year to evaluate the player, a year during which his contract is not among the 50 to which the clubs are entitled.
Whether Davidson will want such a compromise, however, remains to be seen.
The Canadiens’ hopes for the Memorial Cup
Jared Davidson is one of nine Habs prospects on the three Canadian junior circuits. The playoffs begin this week and will determine which teams will take part in the Memorial Cup, starting May 26 in Kamloops. Overview.
PHOTO YAN DOUBLET, LE SOLEIL ARCHIVES
Riley Kidney
Riley Kidney, striker
Gatineau Olympics, QMJHL
Choice of 2e round in 2021
28 goals, 82 assists, 110 points in 60 games
Opponents at 1er Tour: Saint John Sea Dogs
Joshua Roy, striker
Sherbrooke Phoenix, QMJHL
Choice of 5e round in 2021
46 goals, 53 assists, 99 points in 55 games
Opponents at 1er Tower: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
Owen Beck, striker
Petes from Peterborough, OHL
Choice of 2e round in 2022
24 goals, 42 assists, 66 points in 60 games
Opponents at 1er round: Sudbury Wolves
Cedrick Guindon, striker
Owen Sound Attack, OHL
Choice of 4e round in 2022
22 goals, 47 assists, 69 points in 68 games
Opponents at 1er Tour: London Knights
Logan Mailloux, defender
London Knights, OHL
Choice of 1er round in 2021
25 goals, 28 assists, 53 points in 58 games
Opponents at 1er Tower: Owen Sound Attack
Filip Mesar, striker
Kitchener Rangers, OHL
Choice of 1er round in 2022
17 goals, 34 assists, 51 points in 52 games
Opponents at 1er Tower: Windsor Spitfires
Vinzenz Rohrer, striker
67 from Ottawa, OHL
Choice of 3e round in 2022
19 goals, 39 assists, 49 points in 54 games
Opponents at 1er Tour: Oshawa Generals
Daniil Sobolev, defender
Windsor Spitfires, OHL
Choice of 5e round in 2021
1 goal, 8 assists, 9 points in 48 games
Opponents at 1er Tour: Kitchener Rangers
Jared Davidson, striker
Seattle Thunderbirds, WHL
Choice of 5e round in 2022
38 goals, 44 assists, 82 points in 60 games
Opponents at 1er Tower: Kelowna Rockets