UND forward Davis finds his footing
The Montreal native has four points in five games while balancing school and ice time.
By Ariana Flores ·
Connor Davis has recorded four points in his first five collegiate games for the University of North Dakota. The freshman forward is settling into a routine that blends intense practice with academic demands. His production so far reflects a player adjusting to the speed of the NCAA.
Davis hails from Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, but spent his formative years in Montreal. He attended a private school where he learned to speak both English and French. He noted that fluency in both languages was necessary to survive in Quebec hockey. He described his current status as pretty fluent in both.
The decision to attend North Dakota was not immediate. In Quebec, the standard path for young hockey players is the QMJHL. Davis preferred a different route because school was a priority for his parents. He attended prep school before colleges began recruiting him. He researched options and placed North Dakota at the top of his list. The team contacted him last year, a development he called a dream come true.
Davis started playing hockey to follow his older brother. His father and grandfather were fans of the Boston Bruins. He initially just wanted to know how to skate. He grew more serious as he developed skills. He also played house league soccer and some golf during the summer to maintain stamina.
He models his game after Clayton Keller. Davis watched Keller play in the NTDP and at Boston University. He tried to build his own style around that influence. Davis also takes short naps between 15 and 30 minutes before games. He said he does not nap for less or longer than that window.
Off the ice, Davis enjoys cooking. He prepares meals for his family and friends in Grand Forks. He aims to create dishes better than those made by his parents. He favors Jamaican food, specifically ackee and saltfish or jerk chicken. He also visited Harry’s in Grand Forks with his billets last weekend. He described the meal as amazing.
His favorite memory from childhood involves playing outdoor hockey with his siblings in their backyard. His parents built a rink for them. He said he wishes he could go back to that time. He also likes karaoke and performed All The Small Things by Blink 182 with teammates last year. His dream vacation destination is Greece, where some friends have family.
Davis remains competitive in the kitchen and on the ice. He values the hockey culture in his hometown of Vaudreuil-Dorion. He recalled the passionate support from fans when he was younger. He said that passion shows how important the sport is to the community.
