When the Laval Rocket signed Josia Didier By mid-October there was a sense of déjà vu.
And it wasn’t because the defenseman had worn the Rocket jersey before, but rather because this wasn’t his first time playing for a Canadiens affiliate. Far from it.
In 2011, Didier was selected in the fourth round (97th overall) of the NHL Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He went on to play 100 games with their AHL affiliates, the Hamilton Bulldogs and then the St. John’s IceCaps.
What followed were adventures in the AHL. He spent two seasons with the Charlotte Checkers, winning a Calder Cup along the way. Didier then became a mainstay and captain for both the Providence Bruins and Grand Rapids Griffins.
More than fourteen years after he was drafted, he is back in the Canadiens organization. Recommended by Rocket Assistant Coach Daniel Jacobhaving made a good impression of him, the 6-foot-2 defender arrived in Laval on October 13 for a professional tryout.
“I didn’t really have a deal, no training camp or anything. So I was at home, skating by myself, training and trying to stay in shape to hopefully get a call somewhere. I felt like I had some miles left in the tank. Then I got the call here and I was excited.”
In doing so, Didier became the fourth player to join each of Montreal’s last three affiliates: the Rocket, IceCaps and Bulldogs. And his impact was felt immediately. It took less than a month for his tryout to turn into a full AHL contract.
“I didn’t know him,” the head coach admitted Pascal Vincent. “But I can tell you he’s an incredible individual. What’s good for the team, that’s what he wants. He knows his role. He’s a big guy who’s great at breaking plays, solid five-on-five, blocking shots and making sure the goalie sees the puck. He’s very valuable defensively.”
The addition of Didier to Laval’s blue line – which ranks fifth in the AHL in goals conceded per game – has certainly helped. But that’s not the only thing Vincent notices.
“Didier brings so much more than what you see on the ice,” Vincent said. “He’s a guy who’s been there and is here to (capt Lucas) Behavior and our veterans group. His attitude is excellent, truly exemplary. He is an exceptional human being. What he does in the room will have an impact on our young players on the ice on a level that is difficult to quantify.”
It’s a fitting description for a player who has earned his team’s AHL Man of the Year honors each of the last three seasons.
So it’s no surprise that the Rocket has fallen for the longtime defenseman with more than 500 games of experience in the AHL. And the feeling is clearly mutual.
“It was great to be here,” said Didier, a native of Littleton, Colorado, and a graduate of the University of Denver. “The staff is top notch and takes care of all the little details. We have a great group of guys. It’s been fun and the fans are incredible. The passion they have in this city for hockey and for the Rocket is amazing.”
The Rocket will look to lean on Didier’s leadership and play as they look to finally reach the Calder Cup Finals after two trips to the conference finals in the last four years. And according to a player who already owns a championship ring, the ingredients are there.
“I think the group we have here is great,” Didier said. “We’re super close, a very tight group, and that’s where it starts. You have to be a family, and I think we’ll have that. For us, it’s about staying consistent on the ice every night and getting better and better.”
Now it’s up to the Rockets to see if they can get over the hump.
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