This season, Ottawa's 2018 first-rounder more than tripled his career NHL games played and described his first full season as a learning curve.
We all dream as kids to one day play a game in the NHL, but rarely do we think about what it takes to stay in the league. For Ottawa Senators defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker, that's been his goal this season, to become a regular NHL defenceman.
“It’s been a learning curve,” said Bernard-Docker.
Bernard-Docker was a highly-touted prospect, drafted 26th overall by the Ottawa Senators in 2018, and making his NHL debut in 2020. But this has been the 23-year-old's first full season. Before this, he had played 32 career games in the NHL. This season, he played in 70.
Heading into Ottawa's 2023-24 campaign, Bernard-Docker knew what he needed to work on: consistency in his play.
“For me, you have a great game and feel good and feel like I can play in this league for a really long time,” said Bernard-Docker. “And then there are other games where I feel some of these other forwards are just so good down low and it feels like I'm a step behind. So, I think it's just trying to find that consistency, game in and game out.”
Part of the learning curve for Bernard-Docker has been getting used to the physical grind of an 82-game regular season.
“It definitely takes a toll on the body,” said Bernard-Docker. “I played the most games played in my pro career this season, I think it's definitely been a learning curve.
“As a young guy, it's something you've got to be able to get past and just realize that you're not going to have your best in every game for 82 games,” said Bernard-Docker. “It's been a little bit up and down. I think there have been stretches where I've really liked my game. There's maybe a six to eight game stretch at one point in the season where I just felt like I wasn't really making as much of an impact on the game as I would have liked to.”
Bernard-Docker focused on one aspect of his game to maintain his level of play throughout his tireless season.
“I definitely feel more poise with the puck, I guess you could say maybe earlier in the season, I would get the puck and get rid of it,” said Bernard-Docker.
“I've been doing a better job of getting the puck, taking a few strides to get my head up. And when I don't have an option, maybe skating myself and getting it deep.”
Bernard-Docker has also been a machine at blocking shots for the Senators, leading the team with 153.
“I know that for me to stick in this league, (shot blocking) is something I need to be willing to do.” said Bernard-Docker. "It’s actually fun sometimes when they don't sting (chuckling), but obviously that's not every time.”
With 14 points this season, Bernard-Docker has also added some offensive touch to his game. His AHL career high is 9 points.
“Offensively, my numbers might be better than the AHL, but I don't feel like I'm really playing any differently,” said Bernard-Docker. "Sometimes you just put the puck in the right guy's hands in the NHL. I'm now giving the puck to Claude Giroux and he's making a play and I'm maybe getting an assist on it.”
Despite learning and growing as a player this season, Bernard-Docker isn't ready to get comfortable yet at the NHL level.
“I don't know if it gets comfortable," Bernard-Docker said. "I think the second you probably get comfortable in this league is the second you start working your way out of it.”