Jacob Bernard-Docker

Jacob Bernard-Docker
Bernard-Docker with the Ottawa Senators in 2022
Born	(2000-06-30) June 30, 2000 (age 24) Canmore, Alberta, Canada
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	187 lb (85 kg; 13 st 5 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Right
NHL team	Ottawa Senators
National team	Canada
NHL draft	26th overall, 2018 Ottawa Senators
Playing career	2021–present

Jacob Bernard-Docker (born June 30, 2000) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Bernard-Docker was drafted in the first round, 26th overall, by the Senators in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

Early life

Bernard-Docker was born on June 30, 2000, in Canmore, Alberta, Canada ^[1] to parents Thomas and Rolanda Bernard-Docker. ^[2] Although he was born and raised in Canmore, his family spent every summer in Pictou County to visit his grandparents. ^[3] Bernard-Docker played peewee ice hockey with a AA team in Cochrane and a bantam AAA in Airdrie, Alberta ^[4] before enrolling at the Edge School for Athletes with his two younger siblings. ^[5] During this time, he was selected to participate in the 2010 Brick Invitational Super Novice Tournament. ^[4]

Playing career

Amateur

While serving as captain of the Airdrie Extreme bantam AAA team, Bernard-Docker was drafted in the fifth round, 98th overall, by the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League. At the time of his selection, he had accumulated 20 points through 32 games. ^[6] However, he chose to follow the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) route to maintain his collegiate eligibility. ^[7] Upon joining the Okotoks Oilers of the AJHL for the 2016–17 season, Bernard-Docker tallied seven goals and 15 assists through 54 games. ^[1] During his rookie season with the Oilers, he participated in various health programs including Bell Let's Talk and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's Drug Abuse Resistance Education program. In February 2017, Bernard-Docker committed to play for the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks men's ice hockey team. ^[8]

Bernard-Docker returned to the Oilers for the 2017–18 season where he greatly improved offensively and received numerous awards including the CJHL's Top Defenceman and W.G. (Bill) Scott Memorial Trophy. ^[2] Bernard-Docker scored 20 goals and added 21 assists for 41 points through 49 games in order to tie sixth in offensive production among all AJHL defencemen. ^[9] Leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Bernard-Docker was placed 33rd overall for North American skaters in the final NHL Central Scouting Bureau rankings. ^[10] He was eventually drafted in the first round, 26th overall, by the Ottawa Senators, making him the highest drafted Okotoks Oilers player in team history. ^[11] Despite being drafted, Bernard-Docker stayed committed to the University of North Dakota. ^[12]

Collegiate

Bernard-Docker played with the North Dakota Fighting Hawks from 2018 to 2021 while majoring in kinesiology. ^[2] When speaking of his decision to go through the NCAA, Bernard-Docker said, "[t]he reputation of North Dakota moving guys on is a big factor in my decision, but the coaching staff was probably the biggest and their professionalism and knowledge of the game." ^[7] Through his first 13 collegiate games, Bernard-Docker tallied nine points, including a 3-game point streak, to tie for the team scoring leader. As such, he received the NCHC Defenseman of the Week for the ending on November 26. ^[13] As the season continued, Bernard-Docker was again named the NCHC Defenseman of the Week for the week ending on January 14 after he helped the Fighting Hawks sweep Colorado College. ^[14] He was invited to participate in Team Canada's selection camp ahead of the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships but was cut before the final roster was finalized. ^[15] Bernard-Docker finished his season with five goals and added 12 assists for 17 points. ^[1] He was also named an AHCA Krampade Division I All-American Scholar for having earned at least a 3.6 grade-point average during each semester of the 2018–19 academic year. ^[16]

Following his freshman season, Bernard-Docker improved offensively and tallied three goals and 11 assists through his first 17 games of the 2019–20 season. ^[15] On October 12, he became the first Fighting Hawks player to record four points in a single game since Tucker Poolman in 2017. ^[17] As a result of his improved play, Bernard-Docker was selected to participate with Team Canada at the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. ^[15] Upon returning from Team Canada, he recorded his first career multi-goal game in the season finale at Omaha ^[2] and finished the season with seven goals and 18 assists for 25 points through 32 games. ^[1] Bernard-Docker was also named an NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete and a member of the NCHC All-Academic Team. ^[18]

Once collegiate hockey resumed in November 2020, Bernard-Docker was named an assistant captain for the Fighting Hawks alongside Mark Senden and Jasper Weatherby. He was also chosen for the 2020 NCHC Preseason All-Conference Team. ^[19] In their season opener, Bernard-Docker and teammate Weatherby knelt during the national anthem. ^[20]

Professional

On April 1, 2021, Bernard-Docker signalled the end of his collegiate career by signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators. ^[21] He then made his NHL debut on April 14, playing 15:33 and blocking two shots, during a loss to the Winnipeg Jets. ^[22] Once the season concluded, Bernard-Docker was selected to replace New Jersey Devils' defenceman Kevin Bahl for Team Canada during the 2021 IIHF World Championship. ^[23] Upon returning to North America, Bernard-Docker skated with members of the Senators roster instead of participating in the teams' development part of preseason camp. ^[24]

Before the start of the 2021–22 season, Bernard-Docker was assigned to the Senators American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Belleville Senators, for the start of the season. ^[25] After playing in 11 games with their AHL affiliate, tallying two goals and one assist, Bernard-Docker received his first NHL call-up of the season due to Nikita Zaitsev being added to the NHL's COVID-19 protocol. In his first NHL game of the season, he played 8:47 and tallied his first career NHL point by notching the primary assist on Zach Sanford's goal. ^[26] He finished the season having played in eight games for Ottawa and 58 games for Belleville. ^[27] During the 2022–23 season, Bernard-Docker bounced between Belleville and Ottawa, being recalled several times as cover for injured players. He played alongside Thomas Chabot while in Ottawa. ^[28] He finished the season with 19 games in Ottawa and 41 games with Belleville. A restricted free agent at season's end, Bernard-Docker signed a two-year contract extension with Ottawa. ^[29]

Bernard-Docker attended the Senators 2023 training camp, however, he failed to make the NHL team, and was placed on waivers, but went unclaimed. ^{[30] [31]} He was assigned to Belleville to start the 2023–24 season. ^[31] After Artyom Zub suffered an injury, Bernard-Docker was recalled by Ottawa on October 23. ^[32] Bernard-Docker scored his first NHL goal on December 7, 2023, against Joseph Woll on a slapshot in a 4–3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. ^[33]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2016–17	Okotoks Oilers	AJHL		54	7	15	22	12		12	2	5	7	8
2017–18	Okotoks Oilers	AJHL		49	20	21	41	34		15	7	7	14	8
2018–19	U. of North Dakota	NCHC		36	5	12	17	6		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	U. of North Dakota	NCHC		32	7	18	25	12		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	U. of North Dakota	NCHC		27	3	15	18	20		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Ottawa Senators	NHL		5	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Belleville Senators	AHL		58	2	7	9	22		2	0	0	0	0
2021–22	Ottawa Senators	NHL		8	0	1	1	4		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Belleville Senators	AHL		41	2	4	6	35		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Ottawa Senators	NHL		19	0	1	1	11		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	Ottawa Senators	NHL		72	4	10	14	25		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	Belleville Senators	AHL		2	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				104	4	12	16	40		—	—	—	—	—

Medal record
Representing   Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
	2021 Latvia
World Junior Championships
	2020 Czech Republic

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2020	Canada	WJC			7	1	0	1	6
2021	Canada	WC			10	0	0	0	0
Junior totals					7	1	0	1	6
Senior totals					10	0	0	0	0

Awards and honors

Award	Year	Ref
College
All-NCHC Second Team	2020–21	[34]

References

1. "Jacob Bernard-Docker". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
2. "Jacob Bernard-Docker". North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
3. MacInnis, Adam (June 25, 2018). "Hockey player with Pictou Island connections, Jacob Bernard-Docker drafted in 1st round of NHL draft". Saltwire. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
4. Wilson, Brandon (June 27, 2018). "From Bow Valley to NHL: Bernard-Docker blazes new path". rmotoday.com. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
5. Mendes, Ian (April 1, 2021). "Senators' Jacob Bernard-Docker is ready to turn pro: Inside his path, decision and expectations". The Athletic. Archived from the original on July 21, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
6. "Broncos WHL Bantam Draft Picks, Stotts First Pick". Swift Current Online. May 7, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
7. Wasilewski, Scott (June 22, 2018). "For Bernard-Docker, road to NHL runs through UND". North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
8. "BERNARD-DOCKER COMMITS TO UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING HAWKS". Okotoks Oilers. February 14, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
9. "Jacob Bernard-Docker Named CJHLs Top Defenceman". Okotoks Oilers. May 14, 2018. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
10. "2018 Draft Prospect Rankings". NHL.com. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
11. @OkotoksOilers (June 22, 2018). "There it is!!! Jacob Bernard-Docker is selected in the 1st Round by the @Senators at #26! Congrats JBD to you and your family on this incredible accomplishment! The highest Oiler pick in the draft in franchise history! #AJHL #NHLDraft" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
12. Sadler, Emily (June 22, 2018). "Senators draft Jacob Bernard-Docker with 26th overall pick". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
13. "Bernard-Docker named NCHC Defenseman of the Week". North Dakota Fighting Hawks. November 26, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
14. "Bernard-Docker named NCHC Defenseman of the Week". North Dakota Fighting Hawks. January 14, 2019. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
15. Clipperton, Joshua (December 30, 2019). "Canada's final cut last year, Jacob Bernard-Docker grew from heartbreak". CTV News. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
16. "NCHC-leading seven UND players named AHCA All-American Scholars". North Dakota Fighting Hawks. July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
17. Schlossman, Brad (October 14, 2019). "Bernard-Docker has UND's first 4-point game since 2017". Bismarck Tribune. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
18. "Thirteen UND hockey student-athletes earn Academic All-NCHC". North Dakota Fighting Hawks. February 19, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
19. "Notes: NCHC Pod opens curtains on 2020-21 season". North Dakota Fighting Hawks. November 30, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
20. Elliott Schlossman, Brad (December 1, 2020). "Jasper Weatherby and Jacob Bernard-Docker explain why they will kneel for the national anthem at UND's season opener". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
21. "Senators sign defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker to entry-level contract". National Hockey League. April 1, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
22. Tidcombe, Matt (April 14, 2021). "Sens come up short against Jets". National Hockey League. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
23. Garrioch, Bruce (May 27, 2021). "Jacob Bernard-Docker was on his way back to Alberta, but is wearing the Maple Leaf in Riga, Latvia instead". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
24. Garrioch, Bruce (September 16, 2021). "Snapshots: Jacob Bernard-Docker has spent a lot of time working on his defensive play coming into Senators camp". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
25. Tidcombe, Matt (October 3, 2021). "Sens release 13 from training camp". National Hockey League. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
26. Tidcombe, Matt (November 15, 2021). "Finnigan's 8: Nov. 15, 2021". National Hockey League. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
27. Garrioch, Bruce (September 27, 2022). "Snapshots: Jacob Bernard-Docker putting his best foot forward to make Senators". Saltwire. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
28. Warren, Ken (January 22, 2023). "Warren's Piece: Jacob Bernard-Docker sent back to Belleville". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
29. "Ottawa Senators sign defenceman Jacob Bernard-Docker to two-year deal". Sportsnet. July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
30. "Senators' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Waived Monday". CBS Sports. October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
31. "Senators' Bernard-Docker, Sokolov clear waivers, will report to AHL Belleville". Sportsnet. October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
32. "Senators' Jacob Bernard-Docker: Recalled from AHL". CBS Sports. October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
33. Schlossman, Brad Elliott (December 7, 2023). "Jacob Bernard-Docker scores first NHL goal". Grand Forks Herald. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
34. "North Dakota Paces 2020-21 NCHC All-Conference Teams". nchchockey.com. March 8, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2021.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Eurohockey.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Brady Tkachuk	Ottawa Senators first round draft pick 2018	Succeeded by Lassi Thomson
Preceded by Colton Poolman	NCHC Defensive Defenseman of the Year 2020–21	Succeeded by Ethan Frisch