The path to hockey's biggest stage was anything but straightforward for Jared Davidson, but the Montreal Canadiens forward is now savoring every moment of his NHL opportunity after a career built on perseverance and determination.
The Long Road to the Bell Centre
The 23-year-old Edmonton native experienced multiple setbacks early in his hockey career, going unselected at the WHL Draft and being passed over twice at the NHL Draft before the Canadiens finally selected him in the fifth round (130th overall) in 2022, just a month before his 20th birthday. Davidson's journey took him through five seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds, where he earned a spot as a walk-on and eventually captained the team to a WHL championship in 2023.
The Canadiens called Davidson up from the AHL's Laval Rocket on November 14, 2025, following news that forward Alex Newhook would be sidelined for four months after surgery for a fractured ankle. Davidson had been impressive with the Rocket, recording 9 goals and 11 points in just 13 games.
Making His Mark in the NHL
Davidson made his NHL debut on November 15, 2025, in the Canadiens' 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre. Playing on the fourth line with Joe Veleno and Brendan Gallagher, the 5-foot-11, 183-pound winger registered four shots on goal and one hit in 7:14 of ice time. He followed that performance with 9:25 of ice time in Monday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, adding one shot and four hits.
Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis praised Davidson's playing style, noting that "He brings sandpaper. He's very engaged. He's dangerous around the net. What I've seen so far I like." Davidson's willingness to shoot the puck aligns with the team's needs, as the Canadiens rank 28th in the NHL with an average of just 25.2 shots per game.
Overcoming Early Obstacles
Davidson's hockey journey almost ended before it properly began. He broke his shoulder at age 14 when he crashed his bike into a tree while riding downhill. "I didn't come back quite ready and it kind of hurt my whole season after that and I didn't get drafted," he recalled with honesty about his WHL Draft experience.
When asked what he would tell his 15-year-old self now that he's sitting in an NHL locker room, Davidson responded: "I don't even think he'd believe me. I think just keep pushing because that's kind of what I did. I just kept working. I never really gave up on the dream to play here."
Davidson is now one of only four players selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Draft to have played a game in the league, making his accomplishment even more remarkable.
Soaking in the NHL Experience
The rookie's pre-game lap at the Bell Centre for his debut created a memory he'll cherish forever. "It's something I've thought of a lot," Davidson said. "I was thinking a lot: Just don't fall, don't fall, don't fall. And then you go out there with no helmet and you get the wind in your face and the fans are cheering. I think I missed the net twice, so it wasn't perfect. But I think that was kind of the moment where it's like: Wow! This is happening and we're here."
The moment was amplified when Coldplay's "Fix You" blasted through the arena speakers as he waited to take the ice with his teammates. "I don't even know what I was thinking," Davidson reflected. "I don't think I was thinking anything. You hear the noise, you hear the fans and you just know it's showtime."
The Canadiens have since moved Davidson from Laval to a downtown Montreal apartment to avoid traffic jams while traveling to practices and games. He's also enjoying the perks of NHL life, particularly the food. "We have good food in Laval, but this is just on another level," he noted. "Breakfast before practice and then lunch after and food on the plane and food everywhere."
Despite his newfound success, Davidson remains focused on the simple, effective style that brought him to the NHL. "I think I know what I'm good at and I think when I'm on my game it's just simple and I'm not overcomplicating anything," he said. "When pucks come, shoot it. That's basically all I think about when I'm on the ice."
As the Canadiens prepare to face the Washington Capitals on Thursday night at the Bell Centre, Davidson continues to embrace his unlikely journey to hockey's highest level, proving that perseverance can indeed overcome early setbacks.
