Little is said about him because the Canadian’s hopes in the NCAA and the other two 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 1st on one of the best junior teams in the country this season. The Seattle Thunderbirds finished the campaign with 111 points, for 2nd place in the Western Junior League (WHL).

Collectively, the Thunderbirds will want to finish the job they started last year, when they lost in the WHL Finals, two wins shy of making the Memorial Cup.

“Our coaches are very strong on numbers,” Davidson said 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 get 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 side of the rink” player.

“Last year, I generated offense, but I wanted to neutralize opponents 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 says he got 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 June 1, 2024 to offer him a contract or 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. Both of these players received the same treatment: a one-year American League (AHL) contract upon leaving the junior ranks, and then an entry-level NHL contract.

Such a method therefore allows the team to “buy” a year to evaluate the player, in which year 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.

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 compete in the Memorial Cup, starting May 26 in Kamloops. Overview.

2nd round pick in 202128 goals, 82 assists, 110 points in 60 games 1st round opponents: Saint John Sea Dogs

5th round pick in 202146 goals, 53 assists, 99 points in 55 games 1st round opponents: Blainville-Boisbriand Armada

2nd round pick in 202224 goals, 42 assists, 66 points in 60 games 1st round opponents: Sudbury Wolves

4th round pick in 202222 goals, 47 assists, 69 points in 68 games 1st round opponents: London Knights

1st round pick in 202125 goals, 28 assists, 53 points in 58 games 1st round opponents: Owen Sound Offense

1st round pick in 202217 goals, 34 assists, 51 points in 52 games 1st round opponents: Windsor Spitfires

2022 3rd round pick 19 goals, 39 assists, 49 points in 54 games 1st round opponents: Oshawa Generals

2020 5th round pick 11 goals, 8 assists, 9 points in 48 games 1st round opponents: Kitchener Rangers

5th round pick in 202238 goals, 44 assists, 82 points in 60 games 1st round opponents: Kelowna Rockets