Damon Severson

Damon Severson (born August 7, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the second round, 60th overall, in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Growing up in. Melville, Saskatchewan Severson began skating at the age of two and enrolled in hockey at the age of four. He played with the Yorkton Harvest of the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League and Melville Millionaires of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League during the 2009–10 season. As a result of his outstanding junior play, Severson was a ninth-round pick of the Kelowna Rockets in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft. In his second season with the Rockets, Severson recorded career-high seven goals and 30 assists for 37 points through 56 games. As such, he won the Rockets' Most improved player and was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the second round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Severson made his professional debut during the 2014–15 season and recorded his first career NHL point and goal in the same game. By December, he had tallied four goals and eight assists for 12 points through New Jersey's first 32 games but then missed several games due to a hairline fracture in his ankle. Upon rejoining the NHL roster, Severson finished his first professional season with five goals and 17 points in 51 games. Prior to the start of the 2020–21 season, Severson was promoted to the rank of alternate captain by new head coach Lindy Ruff. He also became the longest-tenured player on the roster at the age of 26 following the trade of Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac to the New York Islanders.

Internationally, Severson has represented Canada at both the junior and senior levels. He made his junior team debut in 2011 at the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where Team Canada failed to medal. Severson made his senior team debut during the 2019 IIHF World Championship where he helped them clinch a silver medal.