Damon Severson Bio
Damon Severson (born August 7, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). A right-handed shot standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 205 pounds, Severson has built a reputation as a mobile, offensively gifted blue-liner with a strong work ethic.
Selected by the New Jersey Devils in the second round, 60th overall, in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Severson spent a decade with the organization before a sign-and-trade deal sent him to Columbus in 2023. He has also represented Canada at both the junior and senior international levels, helping the senior squad capture a silver medal at the 2019 IIHF World Championship.
Early Life and Background
Severson was born on August 7, 1994, in Brandon, Manitoba, to Doug Severson and Donna Dixon. He grew up in nearby Melville, Saskatchewan, a small prairie town that helped shape his early athletic identity. Beyond hockey, Severson played a variety of sports growing up, including football, baseball, basketball, and badminton.
He first stepped onto the ice at the age of two and formally enrolled in hockey at the age of four. That early start in the Canadian minor hockey system quickly distinguished him as a prospect, and he soon joined the Yorkton Harvest of the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League. During the 2009–10 season, he also suited up for the Melville Millionaires of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, gaining valuable experience against older competition.
Path to Hockey
Severson’s standout amateur play earned him a selection in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft, when the Kelowna Rockets chose him in the ninth round. He made his major junior debut with the Rockets at just 15 years old after impressing the coaching staff during training camp. On November 3, 2010, he recorded his first career WHL goal in a 5–2 win over the Kamloops Blazers.
After posting 11 points in 32 games during his first full WHL season, Severson was named to Team West at the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. In his second WHL campaign, he set career highs with seven goals and 30 assists for 37 points in 56 games, earning the Rockets’ Most Improved Player award. The NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked him 48th among North American skaters heading into the 2012 NHL Draft Combine, and the New Jersey Devils selected him 60th overall.
Damon Severson Career
Early Career (2012–2014)
Following the draft, Severson signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Devils on September 6, 2012. He returned to the Kelowna Rockets, where he exploded offensively with 52 points in 71 games and won the Rockets Top Defenceman Award. He also signed an Amateur Tryout Agreement with the Albany Devils of the American Hockey League (AHL) and played two games before attending his first NHL training camp.
Although he played two exhibition games with New Jersey and averaged nearly 20 minutes of ice time, the Devils returned him to juniors. Back with the Rockets for the 2013–14 season, he was named an assistant captain and tallied 15 goals, finishing fourth in franchise history for goals by a defenceman in a single season. He also earned a plus-47 rating and a spot on the WHL Western Conference Second All-Star Team.
New Jersey Devils Breakthrough (2014–2017)
Severson cracked the Devils roster out of training camp in 2014 and 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 and goal in the same game against the Florida Panthers. By December, he had four goals and eight assists for 12 points in 32 games before a hairline fracture in his ankle sidelined him for several weeks. He returned on March 3, 2015, and finished his rookie season with five goals and 17 points in 51 games, ranking second among all NHL rookies in ice time per game at 22:45.
During the 2015–16 season, Severson played 72 games, recording one goal and 21 points. His play took a significant step forward in 2016–17, when he posted career highs of 28 assists and 31 points. On October 29, 2016, he tallied his first career game-winning goal in a victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He also played his 200th career NHL game on April 1, 2017.
Established Devils Era (2017–2023)
On September 15, 2017, Severson signed a six-year, $25.2 million contract extension worth $4,166,700 annually with New Jersey. He bounced back from a slow start to the 2017–18 season, scoring two goals in a 4–1 win over the New York Rangers on January 15, 2018, and reaching a career-best nine even-strength goals, which placed him third among all NHL defencemen. The Devils qualified for the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs, where they fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games.
The 2018–19 season produced career highs of 11 goals and 28 assists. On March 12, 2019, he became the fourth Devils defenceman to record 100 assists before his 350th career game. Prior to the 2020–21 season, new head coach Lindy Ruff promoted him to alternate captain, and after the trades of Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac, he became the longest-tenured player on the roster at age 26. He played his 500th career NHL game on November 18, 2021, against the Florida Panthers.
Columbus Blue Jackets Era (2023–Present)
On June 9, 2023, after agreeing to an eight-year contract extension with the Devils, 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 move marked the end of a decade-long tenure in New Jersey and the start of a new chapter in Ohio.
Since joining Columbus, Severson has continued to log heavy minutes as a top-four defenceman and power-play contributor. His experience and right-handed shot have helped stabilize the Blue Jackets’ blue line, providing leadership to a younger group of teammates.
Driving Style and Strengths
Severson is widely regarded as one of the most mobile defencemen in the league, blessed with excellent skating ability and the confidence to join the rush. Veteran Andy Greene once noted that he “can skate like the wind” and “makes a lot of great plays.” Coaches have praised his poise with the puck and willingness to absorb contact to generate offensive chances, traits that have allowed him to thrive in top-pairing and power-play roles throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Severson scored a clutch game-tying goal with 0.4 seconds left in regulation against Switzerland at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, helping Canada advance in overtime. He is also a member of an exclusive Devils club, becoming just the fourth defenceman in franchise history to record 100 assists before his 350th career game.
Damon Severson Career Wins
Although individual statistics provide the clearest measure of his production, Severson’s career has also included meaningful team and tournament results. From junior awards in Kelowna to international medals with Canada, his resume reflects steady progression at every level.
New Jersey Devils Highlights
Across his decade in New Jersey, Severson became a mainstay on the blue line, setting career highs of 11 goals and 28 assists during the 2018–19 season. He played a key role in the Devils’ return to the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2018, serving as a healthy scratch in Game 1 before returning for Game 2. His longevity was rewarded with two long-term contracts, and he became the longest-tenured member of the roster before his trade to Columbus.
International Highlights
At the junior level, Severson won a bronze medal with Canada at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships. He later helped Canada capture a silver medal at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, scoring the dramatic late game-tying goal in the quarterfinals against Switzerland. He represented Canada again at the 2022 IIHF World Championship, where the team again finished with silver after losing to Finland in the final.
Damon Severson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Severson was raised by his parents, Doug Severson and Donna Dixon, in the small Saskatchewan community of Melville. His father Doug has been credited with fostering a competitive household where multiple sports were encouraged. The family’s deep prairie roots and support for athletics helped shape his early development as a multi-sport athlete.
Personal Life
Off the ice, Severson has spent his NHL offseasons training in his home province and, more recently, in Kelowna, British Columbia. He continues to be recognized for his approachable personality in the locker room and his dedication to community initiatives in the cities where he has played.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Damon Severson remains a key piece of the Columbus Blue Jackets’ defensive core. Following a transitional 2023–24 campaign, he has looked to rebound with more consistent offensive production and stronger two-way play. His partnership with younger defencemen has been a focal point for the coaching staff, who rely on his veteran presence to mentor the next generation.
Severson’s role on the power play continues to be a major factor in the team’s offensive structure. As the season unfolds, the Blue Jackets are counting on his ability to log top-four minutes while contributing on the score sheet. With a long-term contract in hand, he is positioned as a stabilizing force as Columbus works to climb back into playoff contention.
