Nico Daws

Nicolas Daws (born December 22, 2000) is a German–Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 84th overall by the Devils in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career
In the two seasons leading up to the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Daws' first year of draft eligibility, he was the backup goaltender for the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Appearing in just 34 games over those two years, Daws led the OHL in goals against average and save percentage with a 2.06 and .939, respectively. Despite his impressive stat line and an OHL championship, he was not selected in the 2019 draft.

In the 2019–20 season, Daws appeared in 38 games, more than the previous two seasons combined despite the COVID-19 pandemic ending the season prematurely. Daws led the league in save percentage, and was named first team all-star and goaltender of the year. In October 2020, he was selected 84th overall in the third round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils.

On November 13, 2020, Daws signed a one-year contract with ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). In 10 games with Ingolstadt during the 2020–21 season, Daws posted four wins, one shutout, and a 2.90 goals against average.

On May 5, 2021, Daws signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Devils. Daws started the 2021–22 season with the Utica Comets of American Hockey League (AHL), the AHL affiliate of the Devils. He was recalled by the Devils on October 21, and made his NHL debut on October 23, in a 2–1 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres.

In the 2022–23 season, playing exclusively for Utica, Daws was named to the 2023 AHL All-Star Game.

In the off-season before the 2023–24 season, Daws underwent acetabular labrum surgery. After missing the beginning of the season, he was activated from non-roster injured reserve and assigned to Utica on December 8, 2023. In his season debut against the Bridgeport Islanders that night, Daws made 31 saves en route to a 4–1 victory. He made his NHL season debut on December 29, making 25 saves on 27 shots in a 6–2 win over the Ottawa Senators.

International play
Despite his German birth, Daws represents Canada internationally. His lone junior-level tournament appearance came at the 2020 World Junior Championships, where he played in parts of two games for the gold medal-winning Canadian team.

Following the 2023–24 NHL regular season and with the Devils failing to qualify for the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Daws accepted an invitation to make his senior national team debut at the 2024 IIHF World Championship.

Personal life
Born in Germany, Daws is also a citizen of Canada. His mother is German and his father Canadian.