Severson Returns to BC an NHLer
Tuesday night was Damon Severson’s first hockey game in British Columbia since leaving the Kelowna Rockets, but this time he was in an NHL sweater.
Severson and the New Jersey Devils fell 2-0 to the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena, but the rookie defenceman was able to put in another strong effort. His time on ice of 25:37 led all players in the game while managing to hold Vancouver’s Sedin line off the scoresheet, something many teams have failed to do this season. Severson was also used by Devils head coach Peter De Boer religiously in the closing minutes of the hockey game, while New Jersey was trying to pull even with an extra attacker.
Big time minutes are nothing new to the 20 year old, who through his first 22 NHL games has quickly become one of the most reliable players on De Boer’s roster.
“I really wrestle with whether we’re giving this guy too much – power play, penalty kill, playing against top players,” DeBoer admitted in an interview with Devils beat reporter Tom Gulitti. “It’s a lot to ask. He’s responded to the challenges so far, but we’re asking an awful lot of him.”
Severson is leading the Devils with 30 shifts per game and his 22:45 of ice time per game is second only to defence partner Andy Greene. Despite playing most of his minutes against the opposing team’s top line each night, Severson still has managed a +2 rating.
Back in Junior, Severson was drafted in 9th round of 2009 WHL bantam draft, 192nd overall.
In 260 games with the Kelowna Rockets The Melville Saskatchewan native scored 167 points on his way to becoming the third round selction of the New Jersey in the 2012 Entry Draft.
