Nico Daws Explained

Nico Daws
Birth Date:22 December 2000
Birth Place:Munich, Germany
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lb:205
Position:Goaltender
Catches:Left
League:NHL
Team:New Jersey Devils
Prospect Team:Utica Comets
Prospect League:AHL
Former Teams:ERC Ingolstadt
Ntl Team:CAN
Draft:84th overall
Draft Year:2020
Draft Team:New Jersey Devils
Career Start:2020

Nicolas Daws (born December 22, 2000) is a German–Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 84th overall by the Devils in the 2020 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

In the two seasons leading up to the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Daws' first year of draft eligibility, he was the backup goaltender for the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Appearing in just 34 games over those two years, Daws led the OHL in goals against average and save percentage with a 2.06 and .939, respectively. Despite his impressive stat line and an OHL championship, he was not selected in the 2019 draft.[1]

In the 2019–20 season, Daws appeared in 38 games, more than the previous two seasons combined despite the COVID-19 pandemic ending the season prematurely. Daws led the league in save percentage, and was named first team all-star and goaltender of the year. In October 2020, he was selected 84th overall in the third round of the 2020 NHL entry draft by the New Jersey Devils.[2]

On November 13, 2020, Daws signed a one-year contract with ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).[3] In 10 games with Ingolstadt during the 2020–21 season, Daws posted four wins, one shutout, and a 2.90 goals against average.

On May 5, 2021, Daws signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Devils.[4] Daws started the 2021–22 season with the Utica Comets of American Hockey League (AHL), the AHL affiliate of the Devils.[5] He was recalled by the Devils on October 21,[6] and made his NHL debut on October 23, in a 2–1 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres.[7]

In the 2022–23 season, playing exclusively for Utica, Daws was named to the 2023 AHL All-Star Game.[8]

In the off-season before the 2023–24 season, Daws underwent acetabular labrum surgery.[9] After missing the beginning of the season, he was activated from non-roster injured reserve and assigned to Utica on December 8, 2023. In his season debut against the Bridgeport Islanders that night, Daws made 31 saves en route to a 4–1 victory.[10] He made his NHL season debut on December 29, making 25 saves on 27 shots in a 6–2 win over the Ottawa Senators.[11]

On July 30, 2024, the Devils re-signed Daws to a two-year, $1.625 million contract extension with an average annual value of $812,500.[12]

International play

Despite his German birth, Daws represents Canada internationally. His lone junior-level tournament appearance came at the 2020 World Junior Championships, where he played in parts of two games for the gold medal-winning Canadian team.[13]

Following the 2023–24 NHL regular season and with the Devils failing to qualify for the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Daws accepted an invitation to make his senior national team debut at the 2024 IIHF World Championship.[14]

Personal life

Born in Germany, Daws is also a citizen of Canada. His mother is German and his father Canadian.[15]

Career statistics

International

YearTeamEventResultGP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2020CanadaWJC2 1 1 0 82 8 0 5.83 .840
2024CanadaWC4th1 1 0 0 60 1 0 1.00 .833
Junior totals2 1 1 0 82 8 0 5.83 .840
Senior totals1 1 0 0 60 1 0 1.00 .833

Awards and honours

AwardYearRef
OHL
First Team All-Star2020
Goaltender of the Year2020
AHL
AHL All-Star Game2023

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Clipperton . Joshua . Undrafted Nico Daws trying to force way into Canada's world junior crease . CBC . The Canadian Press . December 9, 2023 . December 11, 2019.
  2. Web site: NHL Draft 2020: Devils nab Nico Daws in 3rd round Top-ranked North American goalie by Central Scouting . nj . October 24, 2021 . October 7, 2020.
  3. Web site: ERC verpflichtet U20-Weltmeister . erc-ingolstadt.de . October 24, 2021 . de-DE . November 13, 2020.
  4. Web site: RELEASE: Devils Sign Daws to Three-Year ELC . NHL.com . October 24, 2021 . May 5, 2021.
  5. Web site: Kasan . Sam . Devils Cut Eight from Training Camp Roster . NHL.com . October 24, 2021 . October 7, 2021.
  6. Web site: Kasan . Sam . Nico Daws Recalled from Utica . NHL.com . October 24, 2021 . October 21, 2021.
  7. Web site: Pavel Zacha scores in OT to lift Devils past Sabres, 2-1 . ESPN . October 24, 2021 . October 23, 2021.
  8. Web site: NICO DAWS NAMED 2023 AHL ALL-STAR Utica Comets Official Website . November 24, 2023 . uticacomets.com.
  9. Web site: Birnell . Ben . June 10, 2023 . Utica Comets' Nico Daws out for extended period after surgery . November 24, 2023 . Rome Sentinel.
  10. Web site: Jones . Steve . Nico Daws makes 31 saves as Comets win in his season debut . Rome Sentinel . December 9, 2023 . December 8, 2023.
  11. Web site: Baird . Jackson . Nico Daws, Jesper Bratt Lead Devils to Dominant 6-2 Win Over Ottawa Senators . allaboutthejersey.com . SBNation . January 14, 2024 . December 29, 2023.
  12. Web site: Daws Inks to 2-Year Deal with Devils . . July 30, 2024.
  13. Web site: Franken . Brian . 2020 NHL Draft: Devils Picked Goaltender Nicolas Daws at 84th Overall in the 3rd Round . All About The Jersey . December 9, 2023 . October 7, 2020.
  14. Web site: Bedard, Celebrini highlight Canada's roster at the World Championship. TSN. May 3, 2024. May 7, 2024.
  15. Web site: Storm grad, OHL Goaltender of the Year Nico Daws signs entry-level NHL contract with Devils . ontariohockeyleague.com . October 24, 2021 . May 5, 2021.