Menu
JEREMY DAVIES SEASON IN REVIEW

JEREMY DAVIES: SEASON IN REVIEW

Jun 16, 2023

Jeremy Davies signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres last summer, and suited up for 66 games with the Rochester Americans throughout the season. The 66 games played were a career-high for Davies, who played in one game for the Buffalo Sabres on December 17 in Arizona. 

Davies tallied a career-high 11 goals during the regular season, including three game-winning goals. Davies was a staple on the Rochester blue line, paired with Joseph Cecconi for almost every game after Cecconi arrive in Rochester.

The pair saw a lot of ice time during the second half of the season, and definitely during the playoff run, and they were often matched up against the opponents' best players. It's a testament to who Davies became throughout the season, and how much the coaching staff respected his game.

"Jeremy Davies is awesome," Amerks head coach Seth Appert said in May. "I love coaching him. His level of competitiveness." Appert explained that while he's traditionally an offensive defenseman, he has been most impressed with his ability to lock it down defensively.

"He's been totally bought-in to being our top defender," Appert praised. "Could he run a power play at this level? One hundred percent." But, according to Appert, the power play is not how Davies will find his way to the National Hockey League.

"His path is how he defends and how he breaks the puck out and transitions the puck," he explained. "And he's been so bought-in with his play and his attitude."

Davies proved just how bought in he was throughout the playoff run. He added six points, including a goal in Game 2 against Toronto, but his defensive play — and especially his blocked shots — is really what stood out. 

"I thought the [blocked shot] that really stuck out in overtime was Jeremy Davies," Appert said after Game 5 in Syracuse. "That's a defenseman coming down the hill and pounding one."

"That's what it takes to win."

Davies tallied the game-winning goal three times this season, with two of those three goals coming in overtime. On December 1 in Cleveland, Davies scored his second of the night to give the Amerks the win.

On February 4 in Belleville, he found the back of the net just 56 seconds into overtime to secure a big win after a back-and-forth game against the Senators. It's just what he became to the team: a guy who was willing to jump into the play, but also one that was going to lock it down on defense.

Davies had five goals, and 12 points, in his final 28 games of the season, including three-straight multi-point outings in that span.

He attributes his success this season to his teammates and the coaches. "I think it took a little bit to get to know the coaching staff and new teammates and style of play," he said at this end-of-season interview.

"But once we hit our stride midway through the season, everyone's game took-off, including mine," he finished. Appert was more direct in complimenting Davies and his season.

"I think he's had — quietly, because points earn too much acclaim for a defenseman — but I think he's quietly had an outstanding season."

Davies is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. All signings — for players returning to Rochester or playing elsewhere next season — can be tracked in the 2023 Player Tracker.

Back to All