Undrafted free agent Davis Burnside brings a relentless forecheck and elite Ohio State pedigree to the Moose, aiming to spark a struggling offense after a dominant college career.
A majority of Winnipeg Jets fans likely didn't notice, somewhere near the end of last season, when the captain of one of the biggest programs in NCAA hockey made the jump from the American college ranks to the Manitoba Moose.
He closed out the year with a two-game stint in the AHL but between his near point-per-game college production and a hard-nosed, aggressive forechecking style that could give Manitoba a real boost once he joins full time, it's hard for fans not to get excited about Davis Burnside.
The 22-year-old Illinois native isn't far from home as he prepares to make the full-time leap to the pro level with the Moose this season. Burnside went undrafted out of junior hockey, and Manitoba jumped at the chance to add the sparkplug forward as a college free agent after he wrapped up a four-year career at Ohio State, where he served as team captain for two straight seasons.
His forechecking could be exactly what a Manitoba offense that finished with the third-fewest goals scored in the league last season needs. Burnside's college production also tells a story of steady growth.
He picked up 47 points across 78 games in his freshman and sophomore seasons, then broke out in his junior and senior years, piling up 65 points in 77 games and finishing his career with 112 points in 155 games.
Burnside got a brief taste of pro hockey with Manitoba after his college season ended, though an injury in his second game cut that trial short. He described the stint as a valuable one nonetheless, saying he learned a lot from being around the group even while he wasn't able to play.
With almost nobody talking about his name, Burnside is looking to prove doubters wrong, continue developing and quietly become a building block as Manitoba works to rebuild its offense.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
