Joining the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders’ 18U AAA team in November may have given Chase Davis a late start to the team’s season, but he quickly found his role and made his mark on the team.

And the NAHL took notice, too.

Earlier this week, the Aberdeen Wings announced they signed Davis to a tender for the 2021-22 season.

“Chase is a power forward that is very demanding on the puck,” Wings coach-GM Scott Langer said. “He has the ability to play in all situations.”

This season, Aberdeen is 31-1-1 through 33 games.

“I have continued to develop and learn how to use my size (6-foot-4, 200 pounds) and speed to its full advantage,” said Davis on getting the opportunity with the Wings. “That has allowed me the opportunity to take my game to the next level. 

“Aberdeen is a team that has a winning culture every year. Aberdeen does a great job with advancing players as well as preparing them for the next level. I hope to come in and have an immediate impact on the team, both on and off the ice.”

So far this season for the state and district champion RoughRiders, the Alpharetta, Ga., native has collected 10 goals and 26 points over 24 games.

More than state and district banners, Davis wants one additional milestone for Rocky Mountain.

“We want to win a national championship,” Davis said. “This year has been a long, hard battle and nothing would top it off better than a national championship. This RoughRiders team is a special group and I’m grateful to be a part of it.”

This season being Davis’ first with the RoughRiders is also shaping up to be his best from a development standpoint.

“Growing up in Georgia, hockey wasn’t the most popular sport in the state, yet alone in the south,” Davis said. “I picked it up from some old neighbors who moved from Michigan. I always played multiple sports growing up and hockey is the one I always loved the most. Coach (Doug) Smail was highly praised by my coach in Nashville and the way he runs his team was a good fit for me to develop as a player. 

“Coach Smail has had a huge impact on our team. He has been around the game for a long time and always points us in the right direction. His dedication and love for the game has driven this team to success all year. He has also played a big role in preparing me for the next level.”

Once the 2020-21 season concludes, Davis will start looking more at his future, something he has a pretty good idea of what he wants it to include.

“My next step is to continue working and developing to achieve my goal of NCAA Division I hockey,” said Davis. “Getting the chance to play hockey in college and after college has been a dream of mine since the start.

“Joining Aberdeen is another step towards that goal.”

— Matt Mackinder

(March 11, 2021)