Damon Severson Bio
Damon Severson (born August 7, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Brandon, Manitoba native was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the second round, 60th overall, in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Over his NHL career spanning from 2013 to present, Severson has established himself as a reliable two-way defenceman known for his mobility, puck-moving ability, and steady defensive play. He began his professional career with the New Jersey Devils organization where he spent his first ten seasons before being traded to Columbus in June 2023. Internationally, Severson has represented Canada at both the junior and senior levels, winning bronze at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championship and silver at the 2019 and 2022 IIHF World Championships.
Early Life and Background
Damon Severson was born on August 7, 1994, in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, to Doug Severson and Donna Dixon. He began skating at the age of two and enrolled in organized hockey at the age of four, quickly developing a passion for the sport. Growing up in Melville, Saskatchewan, Severson was a multi-sport athlete who also played football, baseball, basketball, and badminton alongside his hockey commitments. His early dedication to the game laid the foundation for his future career as a professional defenceman.
During his adolescent years, Severson played with the Yorkton Harvest of the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League and the Melville Millionaires of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League during the 2009–10 season. His outstanding junior play caught the attention of major junior scouts, leading to his selection by the Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League (WHL) 2009 bantam draft in the ninth round. He made his major junior debut at the age of 15 after impressing the coaching staff during training camp, marking the beginning of his ascent through the hockey ranks.
Path to NHL
After being drafted by the Kelowna Rockets, Severson developed into one of the most promising defensive prospects in Canadian hockey. In his second season with the Rockets during the 2011–12 WHL campaign, he recorded a career-high seven goals and 30 assists for 37 points through 56 games. His impressive performance earned him the Rockets’ Most Improved Player award and placed him on the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s radar as the 48th-ranked North American skater ahead of the 2012 NHL Draft.
Following his standout WHL season, Severson was selected 60th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the second round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He signed his three-year, entry-level contract with the Devils on September 6, 2012, but was returned to the Rockets for another development year rather than attending training camp. During his final WHL season, Severson recorded a career-high 52 points through 71 games, winning the Rockets’ Top Defenceman Award. He also earned a spot on the WHL Western Conference Second All-Star Team, solidifying his status as one of the top defensive prospects in junior hockey.
Damon Severson Career
New Jersey Devils (2013–2023)
After attending the Devils’ 2014 rookie and training camp, Severson successfully cracked the NHL roster prior to the start of the 2014–15 season. Upon making the lineup, he became one of four players 23 years old or younger on the roster and was paired with veteran Andy Greene while wearing jersey number 28. Severson made his NHL debut on October 9, 2014, against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center. Two days later, he recorded his first career NHL point, an assist, against the Florida Panthers, and scored his first goal in the same game just six minutes later. His early-season success earned him recognition as an early Calder Memorial Trophy candidate for the NHL’s best rookie.
By December 2014, Severson had tallied four goals and eight assists through the Devils’ first 32 games. However, he suffered a hairline fracture in his ankle on December 6 and missed several weeks to recover. Upon returning to the lineup in March 2015, Severson finished his rookie season with five goals and 17 points in 51 games. The following season marked his first full NHL campaign, during which he appeared in 72 games and recorded one goal and 21 assists. His play continued to improve during the 2016–17 season, leading to a career-high 28 assists and 31 points while becoming a fixture on the Devils’ blue line.
Columbus Blue Jackets (2023–Present)
On June 9, 2023, after signing an eight-year contract extension with New Jersey, Severson was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a sign-and-trade deal in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The transaction marked the end of his decade-long tenure with the Devils organization and the beginning of a new chapter with the Blue Jackets. Upon joining Columbus, Severson brought his veteran experience and steady defensive presence to a young Blue Jackets blueline looking for leadership.
During the 2023–24 season, his first full campaign with Columbus, Severson served as an important anchor on the Blue Jackets’ defense while helping mentor the team’s younger players. His transition to a new division opponent brought fresh challenges, as he faced his former team multiple times throughout the season. The Blue Jackets organization valued his ability to log heavy minutes and contribute in all situations, making him a key component of their long-term defensive plans.
Driving Style and Strengths
Severson is known as a mobile, puck-moving defenceman who excels at transitioning the play from defence to offense. His skating ability allows him to close gaps effectively and recover pucks in his own zone. Veteran teammate Andy Greene praised his mobility upon his NHL debut, noting his ability to make great plays and skate like the wind. Severson’s confidence with the puck and willingness to accept contact to make plays have made him a reliable partner in all situations throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Severson has reached several significant milestones. He scored his first career game-winning goal on October 29, 2016, in a victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. During the 2018–19 season, he became the fourth Devils defenceman to record 100 assists before his 350th career game. On November 18, 2021, Severson played in his 500th career NHL game against the Florida Panthers. He also set a Devils record by scoring the fastest goal of the 2019 season just 25 seconds into a game against the Boston Bruins.
Damon Severson International Career
Internationally, Severson has represented Canada at both the junior and senior levels throughout his career. He made his junior international debut with Team Canada West at the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where the team placed sixth. The following year, he competed at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships and helped Canada capture the bronze medal. In April 2019, Severson was selected for his senior international debut at the 2019 IIHF World Championship held in Slovakia.
During the 2019 World Championship, Severson delivered a memorable performance in the quarterfinal against Switzerland, scoring the game-tying goal with just 0.4 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime. Canada won the game and advanced to the final before falling to Finland and settling for the silver medal. He finished the tournament with one goal and five assists in ten games. Severson rejoined Team Canada for the 2022 IIHF World Championship, where the team again lost to Finland in the gold medal game. He was selected for his third senior national team appearance in advance of the 2024 IIHF World Championship.
Damon Severson Career Statistics
Across his NHL career with the New Jersey Devils and Columbus Blue Jackets, Severson has established himself as a consistent performer on the blue line. Through his first ten seasons in the NHL, he accumulated over 400 career points while playing a reliable two-way game. His best offensive season came during the 2018–19 campaign when he set a career-high with 11 goals while tying his career-best with 28 assists for 39 points. He led all Devils defencemen in multiple categories during the truncated 2019–20 season and was one of only two Devils players to compete in all 82 games that season.
NHL Highlights
Severson’s most productive stretch came during his tenure with the New Jersey Devils from 2014 to 2023. He was named alternate captain prior to the 2020–21 season, becoming the longest-tenured player on the roster. His consistency and durability allowed him to log heavy minutes and play in important situations throughout his career. After being traded to Columbus in 2023, he continued his steady presence on the blue line while helping mentor the Blue Jackets’ young defensive prospects.
Junior and International Achievements
Prior to his professional career, Severson earned multiple accolades in the WHL, including the Rockets’ Most Improved Player award, Top Defenceman Award, and a spot on the WHL Western Conference Second All-Star Team. His standout major junior career with Kelowna saw him record 52 points in his final season. Internationally, he won bronze at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championship and earned silver medals at both the 2019 and 2022 IIHF World Championships with Team Canada.
Damon Severson Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Damon Severson was born to Doug Severson and Donna Dixon in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. His parents supported his athletic pursuits from a young age, encouraging his multi-sport interests that included hockey, football, baseball, basketball, and badminton. Growing up in Melville, Saskatchewan, Severson benefited from the strong hockey culture in the province, playing at various levels of minor hockey before advancing to the junior ranks.
Personal Life
After being drafted by the Devils, Severson spent significant time developing his game in the Kelowna area during his junior career and maintained connections to British Columbia throughout his development years. Upon turning professional, he established himself in the New Jersey area for nearly a decade before his trade to Columbus in 2023. Known for his work ethic and competitive nature on the ice, Severson’s teammates and coaches have consistently praised his dedication to improving his game throughout his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2024–25 NHL season, Severson continued to serve as a veteran presence on the Columbus Blue Jackets blue line. His experience from over 600 career NHL games provided invaluable leadership to a relatively young defensive corps. The Blue Jackets looked to Severson to continue his steady two-way play while helping develop the team’s next generation of defencemen. His ability to log heavy minutes in all situations remained a key asset for the franchise as they worked to build toward sustained competitiveness in the NHL.
Severson’s familiarity with the Central Division after his first full season with Columbus gave him an edge in understanding opposing teams’ systems and players. The Blue Jackets coaching staff relied on his hockey sense and positional awareness to anchor their second defensive pairing. As one of the more experienced players on the roster, Severson’s mentorship of younger players proved essential for the organization’s developmental goals while maintaining his reputation as a reliable, low-risk defenceman capable of contributing consistently at the NHL level.
