Braden Davis has lofty goals for his hockey career and the Colorado Springs native is traveling the country to see those goals come to fruition.

For the 2024-25 season, Davis ventured to the St. Louis area to play for the CarShield AAA program. Next season, he has a shot to play for the NAHL’s Minot Minotauros after recently signing a tender agreement with the North Dakota-based club.

“Minot started watching me play at the end of last season and then continued into the beginning of this season after going to their camp and offered me a tender early in November,” Davis said. “What appealed the most to me about Minot was the consistency of being a top team in the NA and also a top team for moving players on to NCAA Division I and developing players to dominate at the next level. The facilities, coaches and all the amenities they offer are all top-tier and have a very passionate fan base.

“I’m looking forward to developing my game by playing against great players every day to play Division I. I expect to adjust well to junior hockey and be an impact player by being hard to play against and with an in-your-face power forward playing style. I expect it to be difficult at first, but I know I can learn to adjust.”

Growing up, Davis noted how he started playing the game on a floor, not ice, and that once his passion grew, so then did his skill level.

“My grandma actually got me into hockey when I was six by signing me up for a roller hockey camp,” said Davis. “I always have been an Avalanche fan since I could remember and played a part in me loving hockey. I grew up playing for the Colorado Springs Tigers and played there until I was 14 before going to play for the Colorado Rampage and Colorado Thunderbirds. A coach that really stands out to me and had a big impact on me was Shaun Hathaway. He really cared about every single player and getting every player to buy in and was a blessing to have as a coach. Phil Patenaude with the Thunderbirds was also a great coach for me and my development back in Colorado.”

This season with CarShield has been “a lot of fun for me,” said Davis.

“We have been very successful as a team and are looking to win our way to nationals,” he said. “This season has especially prepared me for juniors because of the intensity our coach requires out of us every practice and game and improving the little details in my game to translate to juniors.”

Moving forward, Davis said his goals are to keep playing at a high level.

“My short-term goals are to go to nationals and play well there and have a great summer of training to make Minot’s final roster and stick there,” said Davis. “My long-term goals are to get a scholarship to play Division I hockey and get a good education while playing. Then, hopefully, go on to play pro hockey after college and be involved in hockey in some way, hopefully back in Colorado.”

Photo/Renee Degroat

— Matt Mackinder

(March 12, 2025)