Jalen Davidson of the Chase Heat is headed for a European adventure.
The 20-year-old from Calgary, Alta., has committed to play for the University of Opole in the European University Hockey League this fall.
“I am extremely fortunate and looking forward to playing for the University of Opole,” said Davidson. “I am excited to experience life and play hockey in Europe, and see what other opportunities and skills I can gain.”
Davidson was fourth on the Heat with 21 points in 41 regular season games. He grew as a leader and applied what he had learned from previous Heat captains and assistant captains and contributed that to this year’s group.
“Our coaching staff’s dedication to developing us on- and off-the-ice, always showing up with our best interests in mind really helped me develop as a person and a player,” he said. “The life-long friends I have made through my three years here have definitely played a huge role in having an opportunity to play overseas.”
He spent his entire junior career with the Heat, playing in 123 career KIJHL regular season games and registered 74 career points. He played in four playoff games during his tenure. As an 18-year-old rookie during the 2022-23 season, Davidson produced 20 points in 39 regular season games.
“Jalen continued to build on his skill set every year. He took a major step forward in leadership and teaching the new guys how to play in the league,” said Heat assistant coach and assistant general manager Cody Inkster. “He will be a huge part of the Opole hockey program next year.”
The European University Hockey Association (EUHA) is a non-governmental and apolitical organization actively supporting and promoting sport among young people with focus on development and promotion of sport activities, specifically ice hockey, among university students. The main outcome of EUHA activities is the regular competition from the European University Hockey League (EUHL) that creates unique opportunities for young student–athletes to develop their dual careers and allows them to be successful in sport and education.
The EUHA founded the league in November 2013 as the first regular international university hockey league in Europe. Since its foundation, more than 34 university teams from nine member states of the European Union (Slovakia, Czechia, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Romania) have participated in the EUHL.
