Josiah Didier

History

2008-09: Josiah Didier played his second season with the Tier I Colorado Thunderbirds U-16 squad under former University of Denver standout Angelo Ricci.

2009-10: Didier and the U-16 Colorado Thunderbirds had an unforgettable season – winning their last 15 games and defeating the North Jersey Avalanche, 3-1, to capture the first-ever USA Hockey national championship for a Colorado-based team. The Thunderbirds defense was particularly impressive in the national tournament – coming within 14 seconds of recording shutouts in their last three games. Didier was selected in the 2nd round of the USHL Entry draft by Cedar Rapids and committed to playing college hockey at the University of Denver in 2012-13.

2010-11: Didier played a physical style of defense while also contributing offensively in his first USHL season with the Eastern Division regular season champion Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. In 58 regular season games, he scored 8 goals with 13 assists while accumulating 81 PMs and was +5. In 8 playoff games, he had 2 assists and was -3 with 7 PMs as the RoughRiders advanced to the playoff semifinals before falling to the Green Bay Gamblers in a tight checking, low scoring, four-game series. Didier was ranked 198th among North American skaters by Central scouting and selected in the fourth round (97th overall) by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2011 NHL Draft. Following the season, Didier and the University of Denver staff decided he would start his college career in 2011-12 – a year earlier than originally intended.

2011-12: Didier was brought to the University of Denver, a year early than expected for the 2011-12 NCAA season as the Pioneers’ coaching staff felt that the big defenseman could help their Hockey program right away. The freshman would not disappoint them, as he played 41 games with three assists and a plus six rating while playing big minutes all season and leading the team with 68 blocked shots and 118 hits. Didier helped the Pioneers get to the WCHA Championship game against the UND when the freshman assisted on the game winning goal in a double over-time win over defending NCAA Champions Minnesota-Duluth. The Pioneers would lose 4-0 in the WCHA championship game against UND Fighting Sioux but still advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Despite suffering from a lower body injury, Didier still played in the opening round of the tournament which ended in a heart-breaking 2-1 loss to Ferris State.

2012-13: Didier skated in 31 games for Denver in his sophomore season — missing time during the year due to a high ankle sprain. Paired with high-caliber offensive defenseman Joey Laleggia (Edmonton) much of the year, he had 7 assists and was +4 with 48 penalty minutes. The Pioneers tied for fourth in the WCHA and received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament after falling to rival Colorado College in a three-game WCHA playoff series. Denver lost to New Hampshire, 5-2, in the NCAA Northeast Regional semifinals.

2013-14: Didier skated in 36 games for the University of Denver in his junior season. He scored 1 goal with 7 assists and was +2, leading the Pioneers with 61 penalty minutes. Denver finished sixth in the first-year NCHC but defeated fellow upstart Miami (which finished last in the regular season) in the conference championship game; earning an NCAA berth. Denver lost to Boston College, 6-2, in the Northeast Regional semifinals.

2014-15: Didier made his pro hockey debut with Montreal AHL affiliate Hamilton following his senior season at Denver. In eight games with the Bulldogs he had 1 assist and an even plus/minus with 5 penalty minutes. Hamilton finished third in the North Division, six points behind the Chicago Wolves for the final Western Conference playoff spot. Didier scored 3 goals with 8 assists (both career highs) and was +8 with 58 penalty minutes in 40 games for Denver. The Pioneers finished fourth in the NCHC, earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament after defeating North Dakota, 5-1 in the NCHC third place game. The Pioneers topped Boston College, 5-2 before a 4-1 loss to eventual national champion Providence in the East Regional final. Didier signed an AHL contract with the St. John’s IceCaps (the re-located Bulldogs) in June 2015.

Talent Analysis

Didier is a strong and physical defenceman. He excels at blocking shots and killing penalties, and prides himself on providing excellent coverage in his own end. He has a large frame to work with and he uses his size well during board battles. He plays a refined game and knows how to push his limits without putting himself at risk of taking a penalty. He has become a quality shutdown blue-liner that can pitch in offensively, if needed. His skating is fine at the level he is currently at but will need to develop when playing against tougher competition.

Future

With a logjam on defence in St. John's, it's expected that Didier will start the season with the ECHL’s Brampton Beast and work his way up. He could push into the AHL as soon as next season, but would be better off from playing more ice-time with the Beast.