Get to know UND freshman forward Connor Davis - Grand Forks Herald

Get to know UND freshman forward Connor Davis – Grand Forks Herald

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Connor Davis Finds His Footing in Grand Forks After Leaving Quebec Behind

When Connor Davis packed his bags for Grand Forks, he left behind a hockey culture that values a sharp tongue just as much as a heavy wrist shot. The University of North Dakota freshman forward grew up in Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, where the local rinks double as verbal firing squads for kids learning the game. Back home, people are intensely passionate, often beaking young players from the stands. Looking back, Davis sees that friction for what it was—proof of how deeply his hometown cares about the sport. Now, five games into his college hockey career, the 2026 recruit has notched four points, trading the demanding rinks of Quebec for a sweater at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

In a detailed profile published by the Grand Forks Herald, beat writer Brad Elliott Schlossman documented the freshman’s transition to collegiate hockey. While the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League serves as the default pipeline for most elite prospects in his home province, Davis took a different route. Education remained a top priority for his family, steering him toward prep school hockey and ultimately opening the door to American college programs. North Dakota sat at the very top of his wish list, turning a childhood ambition into reality when the program reached out during the previous recruiting cycle.

Building a Game Around Pro Idols and Backyard Rinks

Hockey runs deep in the Davis household, sparked originally by his father and grandfather’s fandom of the Boston Bruins. Following in the footsteps of his older brother, Davis laced up his skates early on, eventually molding his playing style after NHL forward Clayton Keller. Ever since Keller starred for the U.S. National Team Development Program and Boston University, the young forward has studied his movement on the ice.

Get to know UND freshman forward Connor Davis - Grand Forks Herald

Before making the jump to North Dakota, the foundational moments of his hockey education took place much closer to home. His parents built an outdoor rink in the backyard, giving him and his siblings a private arena to hone their skills. Those freezing hours spent playing outside remain his favorite childhood memory.

On the ice, the transition to the NCAA brought an immediate milestone. On October 17, 2026, during a matchup against Bentley at Ralph Engelstad Arena, Davis buried his first collegiate goal past goaltender Lukas Swedin.

Life Outside the Rink in Grand Forks

Away from the arena, the freshman maintains a surprisingly routine schedule. Pregame preparation involves a strict 15- to 30-minute nap—no shorter, no longer. When he needs a break from the demands of student-athlete life, he trades the stick for a spatula. Culinary arts occupy a significant portion of his competitive energy outside of hockey. Influenced by family Sunday dinners, he tries his hand at cooking complex dishes, though matching his parents’ cooking remains a steep challenge. When his family visits Grand Forks, the menu often features traditional Jamaican dishes like jerk chicken or ackee and saltfish.

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Local dining has also made an impression on the newcomer. Trips with his billet family have already introduced him to local staples, pointing to spots like Harry’s as a standout culinary discovery in Grand Forks. As for musical tastes, he leans toward crowd-pleasing nostalgia, citing a karaoke rendition of Blink-182’s “All The Small Things” performed with teammates last year as a notable success.

With four points through his first five games, Davis is proving that his academic and athletic ambitions fit right into the demanding culture of North Dakota hockey. The transition from Quebec prep school fields and backyard rinks to the bright lights of the Ralph is well underway.

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