Estevan Power Dodge Bruins rookie forward Jayden Davis is making the best of a busy year in hockey.
The 17-year-old left wing has split the first third of the 2016-17 season between the Bruins and the Western Hockey League’s Lethbridge Hurricanes. Davis opened the year in Lethbridge where he suited up in three preseason games and two regular season contests with the Hurricanes before getting reassigned to the Bruins on Oct. 3.
The Alameda product then played 11 games with Estevan tallying three goals and nine points before being called up to Lethbridge for a portion of the team’s trip through B.C. After dressing for contests against the Kamloops Blazers and Victoria Royals, Davis was sent back to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) where he has played in six more matches.
“It’s hard, but that’s just part of hockey,” said Davis, who signed with the Hurricanes on Sept. 8 as an un-drafted prospect. “Up and down (means) you just got to work hard in both places and try and adjust your roles.”
Davis said a strong work ethic and using his speed to create opportunities is what he tries to bring to both hockey teams. He said the goal this year in both the SJHL and the WHL is just to earn his ice time and develop into a better hockey player.
“He plays the game exactly the way a typical Canadian kid plays it,” said Chris Lewgood, head coach and general manager of the Bruins. “He’s hard nosed. He’s gritty and willing to go to the tough areas of the ice. He doesn’t overcomplicate the game and, probably the most obviously, he’s the fastest player in the league.”
Lewgood said they are using the young forward’s speed to disrupt the opposition on the forecheck while also having him play a more defensive role. He said Davis is not a player they’re looking to for offence, so his contributions on the scoresheet this season have been an added bonus.
“We’re a development program and with a player like Jayden his goal is to play in the Western League, so we want to work with the Lethbridge Hurricanes as much as we can to make sure that he’s available when they need him,” he said. “All we ask is that when he’s with us he’s the best version of an Estevan Bruin that he can be and we have no question that Jayden is going to bring that every time.”
Davis said his typical non-game day this winter begins with a two-hour practice with the Bruins followed by a few hours of Grade 12 online studies and the resulting homework before returning to Affinity Place for a session at the gym. He said that doesn’t leave much time off to relax or head back to Alameda to see his family and work on the farm, but having the chance to live his dream makes the hardships worth it.
“I definitely want to develop and hopefully win league here,” said Davis. “That would be awesome. That’s what I’m hoping and I think we have the team to do it.”
