John Davidson (hockey player)
Encyclopedia
John Davidson is the president of hockey operations of the St. Louis Blues and a former goaltender
for the St. Louis Blues (1973–75) and New York Rangers
(1975–83) of the National Hockey League
. He is also well-known as a long-time hockey broadcaster. On June 4, 2009, it was announced that Davidson would be honored by the Hockey Hall of Fame
with the 2009 Foster Hewitt Memorial Award
for his contributions to broadcasting.
, he played his minor hockey in Calgary
, Alberta. He was drafted fifth overall in 1973, and became the first goalie in NHL history to jump directly from major junior to the NHL. While his hockey career was fraught with many significant injuries, he is perhaps best remembered (as a player) for leading the Rangers to the 1979 Stanley Cup Finals
on an injured left knee. His jersey numbers were 35, 00 and 30.
Davidson was accidentally the inspiration for the title song of the 1978 hit album Double Vision by the rock group Foreigner
. Members of the band were watching a Stanley Cup Playoff game between Davidson's New York Rangers
and the Buffalo Sabres
. Members of the band were fans of the Rangers. Davidson was shaken up when an unknown member of the Sabres took a hard shot that hit Davidson's goalie mask
. As he was recovering, announcers Jim Gordon
and Bill Chadwick
said Davidson was suffering from "Double Vision."
's hockey coverage staff in 1983, and was the color commentator
for Rangers games from 1986–87 to 2005–06. Davidson, often known by the nickname "J.D.", became one of the most prominent color commentator
s in the sport, and his hockey insight is so well respected that he currently sits on the Hockey Hall of Fame
selection committee. Long-time network TV partner Mike Emrick
also sits on that committee, and the two shared the 2004 Lester Patrick Trophy
for service to hockey in the U.S.
Davidson (like his former MSG Network
booth-mates Sam Rosen
and Al Trautwig
) has also contributed to NHL coverage on various national television network
s (including CBC
, Fox, ABC
, ESPN
, NBC and Versus
when it was the American version of the Outdoor Life Network (OLN)). The following timeline is a list of all season-long hockey coverage he has done, such as in-game commentary and post-game analysis shows. It does not include special events such as the Winter Olympics
or Canada Cup. Davidson was known as a broadcaster for his signature phrase of "Oh baby!" He was also featured in full motion videos shot for the EA Sports
video game NHL 97
.
Davidson co-authored the book Hockey for Dummies with sportswriter John Steinbreder
.
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
for the St. Louis Blues (1973–75) and New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
(1975–83) of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. He is also well-known as a long-time hockey broadcaster. On June 4, 2009, it was announced that Davidson would be honored by the Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
with the 2009 Foster Hewitt Memorial Award
Foster Hewitt Memorial Award
The Foster Hewitt Memorial Award is an award named after Foster Hewitt and presented by the Hockey Hall of Fame to members of the radio and television industry who make outstanding contributions to their profession and the game of ice hockey during their broadcasting career...
for his contributions to broadcasting.
Playing career
Growing up in western CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, he played his minor hockey in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Alberta. He was drafted fifth overall in 1973, and became the first goalie in NHL history to jump directly from major junior to the NHL. While his hockey career was fraught with many significant injuries, he is perhaps best remembered (as a player) for leading the Rangers to the 1979 Stanley Cup Finals
1979 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1979 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by the New York Rangers and the defending champion Montreal Canadiens, making their fourth straight appearance. It was New York's first appearance since . The Canadiens would win the best-of-seven series four games to one, to win...
on an injured left knee. His jersey numbers were 35, 00 and 30.
Davidson was accidentally the inspiration for the title song of the 1978 hit album Double Vision by the rock group Foreigner
Foreigner (band)
Foreigner is a British-American rock band, originally formed in 1976 by veteran English musicians Mick Jones and ex-King Crimson member Ian McDonald along with American vocalist Lou Gramm...
. Members of the band were watching a Stanley Cup Playoff game between Davidson's New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
and the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
. Members of the band were fans of the Rangers. Davidson was shaken up when an unknown member of the Sabres took a hard shot that hit Davidson's goalie mask
Goalie mask
A goaltender mask, commonly referred to as a goalie mask or a hockey mask, is a mask worn by ice hockey, inline hockey, and field hockey goaltenders to protect the head from injury. Jacques Plante was the first goaltender to create and use a practical mask in 1959. Plante's mask was a piece of...
. As he was recovering, announcers Jim Gordon
Jim Gordon (sportscaster)
Jim Gordon was an American television and radio newscaster and play-by-play sportscaster in the New York City area for nearly 40 years....
and Bill Chadwick
Bill Chadwick
William Leroy "The Big Whistle" Chadwick was the first US-born referee to serve in the National Hockey League...
said Davidson was suffering from "Double Vision."
Broadcasting career
After retiring due to injury, he joined MSGMSG Network
The MSG Network, now shortened to simply MSG, is a regional cable television and radio network serving the Mid-Atlantic United States. It is focused on New York City sports teams...
's hockey coverage staff in 1983, and was the color commentator
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
for Rangers games from 1986–87 to 2005–06. Davidson, often known by the nickname "J.D.", became one of the most prominent color commentator
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
s in the sport, and his hockey insight is so well respected that he currently sits on the Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
selection committee. Long-time network TV partner Mike Emrick
Mike Emrick
Michael "Doc" Emrick, is an American sports commentator noted mostly for his work in ice hockey. Emrick is currently the lead announcer for NHL national telecasts on both NBC and Versus...
also sits on that committee, and the two shared the 2004 Lester Patrick Trophy
Lester Patrick Trophy
The Lester Patrick Trophy has been presented by the National Hockey League and USA Hockey since 1966 to honor a recipient's contribution to ice hockey in the United States. It is considered a non-NHL trophy because it may be awarded to players, coaches, officials, and other personnel outside the NHL...
for service to hockey in the U.S.
Davidson (like his former MSG Network
MSG Network
The MSG Network, now shortened to simply MSG, is a regional cable television and radio network serving the Mid-Atlantic United States. It is focused on New York City sports teams...
booth-mates Sam Rosen
Sam Rosen (sportscaster)
Sam Rosen is an American sportscaster, best known as the primary play-by-play announcer for the New York Rangers games on MSG. On June 8, 2008, Rosen was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame....
and Al Trautwig
Al Trautwig
Al Trautwig is a commentator with the MSG Network, NBC, Versus, and USA Network. He does the pre-game and post-game shows for the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, as well as fill-in play-by-play for both teams.-Early life:...
) has also contributed to NHL coverage on various national television network
Television network
A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay TV providers. Until the mid-1980s, television programming in most countries of the world was dominated by a small...
s (including CBC
Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada is the branding used for CBC Sports' presentations of the National Hockey League...
, Fox, ABC
The NHL on ABC
The NHL on ABC is a former TV show that televised National Hockey League games on the American Broadcasting Company and was produced by ABC's corporate sibling ESPN.-Before the 1992–93 NHL season:...
, ESPN
ESPN National Hockey Night
ESPN National Hockey Night was ESPN's weekly television broadcasts of National Hockey League regular season games and coverage of playoff games, broadcast from 1992 to 2004...
, NBC and Versus
NHL on Versus
The NHL on Versus was the former branding used for National Hockey League games broadcast on Versus. Versus became the NHL's cable partner in the United States beginning in the 2005-06 season from previous partner ESPN, providing coverage of regular season games, playoff games, and select games...
when it was the American version of the Outdoor Life Network (OLN)). The following timeline is a list of all season-long hockey coverage he has done, such as in-game commentary and post-game analysis shows. It does not include special events such as the Winter Olympics
Winter Olympic Games
The Winter Olympic Games is a sporting event, which occurs every four years. The first celebration of the Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The original sports were alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and speed skating...
or Canada Cup. Davidson was known as a broadcaster for his signature phrase of "Oh baby!" He was also featured in full motion videos shot for the EA Sports
EA Sports
EA Sports is a brand of Electronic Arts that creates and develops sports video games. Formerly a marketing gimmick of Electronic Arts, in which they tried to mimic real-life sports networks by calling themselves "EA Sports Network" with pictures or endorsements of real commentators such as John...
video game NHL 97
NHL 97
NHL 97 is a ice hockey video game by EA Sports. It was released on October 31, 1996 and was the successor to NHL 96.- Features :NHL 97 took the graphics even further ahead, using a full 3D engine, with motion captured polygonal players NHL 97 is a ice hockey video game by EA Sports. It was released...
.
Davidson co-authored the book Hockey for Dummies with sportswriter John Steinbreder
John Steinbreder
John Steinbreder is an American writer. He has written or co-written six books on sports . He is the co-author of two books on family custody issues. A forthcoming book will deal with billionaire golf benefactor and hotelier Herbert Kohler, Jr.'s golf courses...
.
President of Hockey Operations for the St. Louis Blues
Davidson was named President of Hockey Operations for the Blues on June 30, 2006.Playing
- Alberta Junior Hockey LeagueAlberta Junior Hockey LeagueThe Alberta Junior Hockey League is an Alberta-based Junior A hockey league that belongs to the Canadian Junior Hockey League . It was formed as a five-team league in 1964. There are currently 16 teams in the league. The regular season league champions receive the Dave Duchak Trophy...
- MVP (1970–71) - Alberta Junior Hockey LeagueAlberta Junior Hockey LeagueThe Alberta Junior Hockey League is an Alberta-based Junior A hockey league that belongs to the Canadian Junior Hockey League . It was formed as a five-team league in 1964. There are currently 16 teams in the league. The regular season league champions receive the Dave Duchak Trophy...
- Best goalie (1970–71) - Alberta Junior Hockey LeagueAlberta Junior Hockey LeagueThe Alberta Junior Hockey League is an Alberta-based Junior A hockey league that belongs to the Canadian Junior Hockey League . It was formed as a five-team league in 1964. There are currently 16 teams in the league. The regular season league champions receive the Dave Duchak Trophy...
- Second team All-StarAll-starAll-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
(1970–71) - Western Hockey LeagueWestern Hockey LeagueThe Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
- MVPFour Broncos Memorial TrophyThe Four Broncos Memorial Trophy is awarded each year to the Western Hockey League's Player of the Year.The trophy is named in honour of four members of the Swift Current Broncos who were killed on December 30, 1986 in the Swift Current Broncos bus crash, an accident that occurred when the team bus...
(1971–72) - Western Hockey LeagueWestern Hockey LeagueThe Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
- Del Wilson TrophyDel Wilson TrophyThe Del Wilson Trophy is awarded to the top goaltender of the Western Hockey League.The award is named after Del Wilson, who was the general manager of the Regina Pats when they won the Memorial Cup in 1974.- Winners :...
as best goalie (1971–72) - Western Hockey LeagueWestern Hockey LeagueThe Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
- First team All-Star (1971–73) - Ranked No. 56 on the all-time list of New York Rangers in the book 100 Ranger Greats (John Wiley & SonsJohn Wiley & SonsJohn Wiley & Sons, Inc., also referred to as Wiley, is a global publishing company that specializes in academic publishing and markets its products to professionals and consumers, students and instructors in higher education, and researchers and practitioners in scientific, technical, medical, and...
, 2009).
Broadcasting
- CableACE - "Outstanding Live Event Coverage" (1994)
- New York Emmy - "Outstanding On-Camera Achievement" (1995, 2001)
- Lester Patrick TrophyLester Patrick TrophyThe Lester Patrick Trophy has been presented by the National Hockey League and USA Hockey since 1966 to honor a recipient's contribution to ice hockey in the United States. It is considered a non-NHL trophy because it may be awarded to players, coaches, officials, and other personnel outside the NHL...
- "Contribution to American hockey" (2004)
- Foster Hewitt Memorial Award; Hockey Hall Of Fame (2009)
Career statistics
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA Goals against average Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender.... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969–70 | Calgary Centennials Calgary Centennials Calgary Buffaloes redirects here. For the former Alberta Junior Hockey League team of the same name, see Calgary Buffaloes The Calgary Centennials were a junior ice hockey team that played in the Western Canada Hockey League from 1966–1977... |
WCHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 1970–71 | Lethbridge Sugar Kings | AJHL Alberta Junior Hockey League The Alberta Junior Hockey League is an Alberta-based Junior A hockey league that belongs to the Canadian Junior Hockey League . It was formed as a five-team league in 1964. There are currently 16 teams in the league. The regular season league champions receive the Dave Duchak Trophy... |
46 | 3760 | 142 | 3 | 3.09 | |||
| 1971–72 | Calgary Centennials | WCHL | 66 | 3970 | 157 | 8 | 2.37 | |||
| 1971–72 | Edmonton Oil Kings | WCHL | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 118 | 9 | 0 | 4.58 |
| 1972–73 | Calgary Centennials | WCHL | 63 | 3735 | 201 | 2 | 3.30 | |||
| 1973–74 | St. Louis Blues | NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
39 | 13 | 19 | 7 | 2300 | 118 | 0 | 3.08 |
| 1974–75 | St. Louis Blues | NHL | 40 | 17 | 15 | 7 | 2360 | 144 | 0 | 3.66 |
| 1974–75 | Denver Spurs Denver Spurs The Denver Spurs were a professional ice hockey team based out of Denver, Colorado. The Spurs began play in the Western Hockey League in 1968, and played at the Denver Coliseum. The Spurs became the first professional sports team in Colorado to win a championship in 1971–72... |
CHL | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 420 | 27 | 0 | 3.86 |
| 1975–76 | New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
NHL | 56 | 22 | 28 | 5 | 3207 | 212 | 3 | 3.97 |
| 1976–77 | New York Rangers | NHL | 39 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 2116 | 125 | 1 | 3.54 |
| 1976–77 1976–77 AHL season The 1976–77 AHL season was the 41st season of the American Hockey League. The league lost two teams, and divisions were dissolved. Six teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy is awarded is for first place in the regular season, and the John D. Chick Trophy is not... |
New Haven Nighthawks New Haven Nighthawks The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
2 | 119 | 5 | 0 | 2.52 | |||
| 1977–78 | New York Rangers | NHL | 34 | 14 | 13 | 4 | 1848 | 98 | 1 | 3.18 |
| 1978–79 | New York Rangers | NHL | 39 | 20 | 12 | 5 | 2232 | 131 | 0 | 3.52 |
| 1979–80 | New York Rangers | NHL | 41 | 20 | 15 | 4 | 2306 | 122 | 2 | 3.17 |
| 1979–80 1979–80 AHL season The 1979–80 AHL season was the 44th season of the American Hockey League. Ten teams were scheduled to play 80 games each. The New Haven Nighthawks finished first overall in the regular season... |
New Haven Nighthawks | AHL | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 238 | 16 | 0 | 4.02 |
| 1980–81 | New York Rangers | NHL | 10 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 560 | 48 | 0 | 5.14 |
| 1981–82 | New York Rangers | NHL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 1 | 0 | 1.00 |
| 1982-83 1982–83 AHL season The 1982–83 AHL season was the 47th season of the American Hockey League. Thirteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season, and won their fourth Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:... |
Springfield Indians Springfield Indians The Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with... |
AHL | 8 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 437 | 24 | 0 | 3.30 |
| 1982–83 | New York Rangers | NHL | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 120 | 5 | 0 | 2.50 |
| NHL totals | 301 | 123 | 124 | 39 | 17109 | 1004 | 7 | 3.52 | ||
| Minor league totals | 199 | 11800 | 581 | 13 | 2.95 | |||||