Max Davidson commits to Clarkson before sending holiday Monday crowd home happy
Max Davidson of the Stouffville Spirit followed up his commitment to NCAA Division I Clarkson University by scoring in double overtime on Thanksgiving Monday. (Photos by Paul Mauceri and Tim Bates/OJHL Images)
How was your week? It’s hard to imagine having a better one than Max Davidson of the Stouffville Spirit enjoyed.
The 17-year-old made a big-time commitment, to NCAA Division I Clarkson University, one week ago.
Then on Thanksgiving Monday, he scored with 11 seconds remaining in double overtime to give the Spirit a 4-3 win over the Pickering Panthers. A rookie defenceman out on the 3-on-3.
“It’s an honour to go to a school like Clarkson,” a beaming Davidson said following Spirit practice Wednesday.
He’ll take an official visit later this season but already plans on enrolling in business when he attends – in two or three years.
Davidson is from London, ON, where he grew up in the Junior Knights AAA program.
Those minor hockey memories included not being one of the 303 players selected in the Ontario Hockey League’s U16 draft in 2023.
“That hurt a lot,” he said. “It just motivated me, to be honest, to just keep going and keep working as hard as I can.”
That included on-ice skill sessions and plenty of hours in the gym at Bark’s Training back in London under the watchful eye of Blake McConnell-Barker.
“He kept me motivated, he kept me going,” Davidson said.
A year later he was picked, in the second round of the OHL’s U18 draft by the Brampton Steelheads.
The year of hard work and playing for the Knights U18 team also opened his eyes to the prospects of playing Jr. A and earning a scholarship.
Enter Spirit Assistant General Manager Thayne Hallyburton who scouted Davidson last season and offered him a spot in Spiritville.
“Max is a 200-foot defenceman who skates very well and has a tireless work ethic,” Hallyburton said this week. “Max can do it all, defend, jump in the rush, finish and make plays. His character is also of the highest level. He’s always got a smile on his face.”
“Max’s trajectory is on a steady incline, too, as he has gotten better and better each of the last three years I have watched him. Clarkson got the complete package.
Just after Thanksgiving 2024, Davidson is truly thankful.
“I’m very grateful for where I am right now. I love this team, love this coaching staff.”
And his billet mom, Patsy Palmer.
“She makes great meals and takes good care of me,” said the Grade 12 student at Stouffville District Secondary School.
His story should be inspirational for others who may be initially unchosen.
“Stick to the program,” he said. “Keep motivated. It will eventually come if you keep working at it.”
Davidson played elite level soccer until his U16 season, an unusual choice in this era of year-round specialization in one sport. He said it helped his conditioning and endurance.
His grandfather, Wayne Davidson, played hockey for the Lasco Steelers in the old Metro Jr. B League, but is better known as a lacrosse player. In 1967 he played for the Oshawa Green Gaels team that won the Minto Cup, the national junior championship, and was on the Brooklin Redmen team who won the Mann Cup Canadian senior title in 1968 and 1969.
And that game-winning goal?
“I just had to tap it in,” Davidson said, crediting Kyle Downey with making a big save seconds earlier and Riley Pope with the sweet feed at the other end. “I had the easy job.”
NOTES: Clarkson? Stouffville native Mike Sullivan played four years at the university in Potsdam, NY, following one starry season with the Spirit. {*This is not the Mike Sullivan coaching the Pittsburgh Penguins). Sullivan was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings after that 61-point campaign with the Spirit in 2002-03. After college graduation, he’d play one year at Idaho in the ECHL and three more years of pro in Germany before retiring. Now 40, he lives in Calgary…local youth hockey players wearing their team jerseys will be admitted to the game on Oct. 20 free of charge…Lucas Demiglio completed a brother act for the Spirit by seeing OJHL regular season action over the weekend. His big brother, Julian, 18, is a second-year forward who has an #ncaa Division I commitment to RIT. Lucas is a highly regarded 15-year-old prospect who plays in the GTHL. He turns 16 on Oct. 26…The Spirit held a moment’s silence in memory of former affiliate player Kurtis Evans before its Oct. 10 game.
THE SCHEDULE
Oct. 17, Markham Royals at Stouffville, 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 18, Stouffville at Wellington Dukes, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 20, Haliburton County Huskies at Stouffville, 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 24, Cobourg Cougars at Stouffville, 7:30 p.m.
All games broadcast on 102.9FM whistlefm.ca radio and FloHockey TV https://www.flohockey.tv/leagues/10826657-ontario-junior-hockey-league-ojhl (subscription required).
THE SCORES
Oct. 14, Stouffville 4, Pickering Panthers 3. 2OT
The aforementioned Max Davidson beat the Buzzer with the winner – but the Spirit say they actually won the game earlier in overtime. However, David Paglia’s ‘goal’ was challenged by Pickering and ruled a no-goal. Paglia says the officials told him the puck was kicked in; he says it bounced in off his mid-section. Spirit Head Coach TJ Hill argued vehemently, to no avail. “Just happy big Max made up for it,” Paglia said.
Lachlan Wells sent the game to OT with the lone goal of the third period. Riley Pope and Evan Breckles had given the Spirit a 2-1 lead after one period.
Oct. 11, St. Michael’s Buzzers 5, Stouffville 3
The Spirit couldn’t hold onto a 3-2, second-period lead in Toronto Friday night. Riley Pope had two of the Spirit goals and assisted on the third, scored by Evan Breckles. Julian Demiglio assisted on all three. Breckles added two assists.
Oct. 10, Toronto Patriots 4, Stouffville 2
Down 4-0 midway through the third, an attempted Spirit comeback fell short. The short-staffed Spirit were assessed the first six penalties of the game played at the Stouffville Arena. Lachlan Wells scored and assisted on Evan Breckles’ goal.
Spirit This Week is sponsored by Farmer Jack’s in Stouffville and Sharon.
