Didier again the place it (considerably) began

by Justin Vézina | AHL On The Beat

When the Laval Rocket signed Josiah Didier in mid-October, there was a way of déjà vu.

And it wasn’t as a result of the defenseman had worn the Rocket jersey earlier than, however fairly as a result of this wasn’t his first time taking part in for a Canadiens affiliate. Removed from it.

In 2011, Didier was chosen within the fourth spherical (97th general) of the NHL Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He went on to play 100 video games with their AHL associates, the Hamilton Bulldogs then the St. John’s IceCaps.

What adopted had been adventures throughout the AHL. He spent two seasons with the Charlotte Checkers, successful a Calder Cup alongside the best way. Didier then grew to become a pillar and captain with each the Windfall Bruins and the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Greater than 14 years after being drafted, he’s again with the Canadiens group. Really helpful by Rocket assistant coach Daniel Jacob, who had stored an amazing impression of him, the 6-foot-3 defenseman arrived in Laval on October 13 on knowledgeable tryout.

“I didn’t actually have a deal, no coaching camp or something. So I used to be at dwelling, skating alone, coaching and attempting to remain in form to hopefully get a name someplace. I felt like I nonetheless had some miles left within the tank. Then I acquired the decision right here, and I used to be excited.”

With that, Didier grew to become the fourth participant to swimsuit up for every of Montreal’s final three associates – the Rocket, IceCaps and Bulldogs. And his impression was felt straight away. It took lower than a month for his tryout to show right into a full AHL contract.

“I didn’t know him,” admitted head coach Pascal Vincent. “However I can inform you he’s an unbelievable particular person. No matter’s good for the workforce, that’s what he desires. He is aware of his function. He’s an enormous man who’s nice at breaking performs, stable five-on-five, blocks photographs, and makes positive the goalie sees the puck. He’s very precious defensively.”

Didier’s addition to Laval’s blue line — which ranks fifth within the AHL for objectives in opposition to per sport — has definitely helped. However that’s not the one factor Vincent notices.

“Didier brings a lot greater than what you see on the ice,” mentioned Vincent. “He’s a man who’s been round and is right here to assist (captain Lucas) Condotta and our veteran group. His perspective is excellent, really exemplary. He’s an distinctive human being. What he does within the room will have an effect on our younger gamers on the ice at a stage that’s exhausting to quantify.”

It’s a becoming description for a participant who has earned his workforce’s AHL Man of the Yr honors every of the final three seasons.

So it’s no shock the Rocket has fallen for the regular defenseman with greater than 500 video games of expertise within the AHL. And the sensation is clearly mutual.

“It’s been wonderful being right here,” mentioned Didier, a local of Littleton, Colo., and graduate of the College of Denver. “The workers is prime class, caring for all of the little particulars. We’ve acquired an amazing group of fellows. It’s been enjoyable, and the followers are unbelievable. The eagerness they’ve on this metropolis for hockey and for the Rocket is wonderful.”

The Rocket will look to lean on Didier’s management and play as they intention to lastly attain the Calder Cup Finals after two journeys to the convention finals within the final 4 years. And in accordance with a participant who already owns a championship ring, the substances are there.

“I believe the group we now have right here is wonderful,” Didier mentioned. “We’re tremendous shut, a extremely tight-knit group, and that’s the place it begins. You’ve acquired to be a household, and I believe we’re going to have that. For us, it’s about staying constant on the ice each single night time and persevering with to get higher.”

Now it’s as much as the Rocket to see if they’ll recover from the hump.