Following four years at the University of Denver,Josiah Didier will be playing professional hockey next year in St. John’s. The 2011 fourth-round pick signed a one year deal with the IceCaps adding to the team’s young defensive core for the upcoming season.
In his four seasons with Denver Didier tallied 29 points with four goals and 25 assists. He also served as an alternate captain in his final season which saw the Pioneers make it to the Frozen Four tournament. Denver fell short against the eventual champions Providence in the quarterfinals.
In his eight game tryout stint last season, Didier collected one assist while playing top four minutes for a beleaguered Hamilton squad. If last season’s late run is any indication, we could see the NCAA product step directly into a top four role for coach Sylvain Lefebvre much like Greg Pateryn did. Didier is known primarily as a defensive defensemen during his NCAA tenure, but still possess a hard shot to score the occasional goal.
The 6′ 3” defender is also not afraid to throw his body around and use his size along the boards. He’s also willing to drop the gloves when the situation calls for it meaning he could become one of the coaches favorites rather quickly.
Press release
MONTREAL (June 8, 2015) – Montreal Canadiens and St. John’s IceCaps General Manager Marc Bergevin announced today the IceCaps have signed defenceman Josiah Didier to a one-year American Hockey League contract for the 2015-16 season.
Originally signed in March to a professional try out contract with the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate in Hamilton, Didier recorded an assist and five penalty minutes in eight games.
In 148 career NCAA games with the University of Denver from 2011 to 2015, the 6-3, 220-pound blueliner recorded 29 points (4 goals, 25 assists) and 203 penalty minutes. Before college, the Littleton, CO. native played with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the USHL.
