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Kamloops Blazers

Coming of Age - Dawson Davidson

November 13, 2015 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Kamloops Blazers News Release


It was just supposed to be one little weekend.

Come in after the Christmas break, play sparingly, and see what the WHL is all about. Fly back to Moose Jaw "AAA" midget in a whirlwind  that you'd ask yourself "did that really happen?"

Instead, he stayed...and now we're getting to know him and what he's all about.

That late December weekend last season for defensemen Dawson Davidson went so well, the Blazers were quick to offer him a full time role the rest of the year.

"I woke up on a Sunday...my parents calling me (with the news). I was obviously really excited," as Davidson recalled the weekend for me....A happy memory you can tell he'll have the rest of his life.

He scored in his second game as a Blazer, a long range shot that found it's way home through traffic in Vancouver. He'd score again the next game... a PP marker in Kelowna against the Rockets in his first game as a "full-time" Blazer.

I caught up with the 2013 3rd round bantam draft pick after practice this week...riding high on a current eight-game point streak - the longest streak this season by a WHL d-man. His look when I approached him was a humble "you want to talk to me?"

Humility is a nice asset...but don't mistake it for a lack of confidence.

"Even though I'm 17 I know I'm capable of being a player who plays big minutes and capable of being a player who can contribute offensively."

The unassuming small town Saskatchewan born player (Moosimin) is making a name for himself...and he knows his upside.

"It's (scoring streak) not a surprise because I'm confident in what I bring to the team...at the same time, you don't plan on going on a streak like that but when it happens you sure are happy."

Team-wise they've turned a corner too after an 0-6 start... the team is back to .500 on the season as they hit the weekend...riding five straight wins. It's the team's longest wining streak since February of 2013.

"The team has come together...we love coming to the rink, we're winning games and nothing is better than that."

At 5'11", 180lbs he's a smaller player playing a usual big player position. It's rare someone lays the body on him, his knack of avoiding contact is second to none on the team. He's slick, and able to get out of vulnerable situations in his own end.

"I mean....(pausing to add emphasis) I have to be good at that right? I have to be able to avoid checks and move the puck up ice...I have to above everyone that's bigger than me. I pride myself on it."

His Hockey IQ also charts higher than most. His instincts are polished, always finding the right time to jump up into the rush. Like he did in OT against Spokane to set up Collin Shirley for the game-winner... or like the last home game vs PG when he decided to go early in the 2nd period, taking the drop from Deven Sideroff to rip home the 2-0 goal.

"When their d-man pinches...and we get the chip by him it's time (to jump up). I know that's a 3-on-2 at the very least in the making, and we have the forwards that can get me the puck in those spots."

However, Davidson was an afterthought in the NHL Central Scouting Preliminary rankings. He was nowhere to be found when the first rankings came out to begin the season. It's something he's using as fuel.

"I wasn't on the list...that's motivation. I want to get drafted and that motivates me everyday to be my best."

Davidson has a strong cheering section back home in Moosimin.

"I don't think there's been a single NHL'er to come out of there," Davidson says with a chuckle.

"We're a hockey family, they really support me, and try to come up (to Kamloops) as much as they can."

The Blazers will be on a six-game Eastern swing in a few weeks and he fully expects a strong contingent following the team around to places like Moose Jaw, Regina & Brandon.

As his play continues to shine, the spotlight will also begin to creep into his game. He seems ok with that and poised to run with it. A 17 year-old on the brink of blossoming into a prime-time player.

And it all began, with that one little weekend....

Check out the Kamloops Blazers Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from November 13, 2015


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