{{short description|German-Canadian ice hockey player}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox ice hockey player | name = Nico Daws | image = Nico Daws 2022.jpg | image_size = 230px | caption = Daws with the Utica Comets in 2022 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|12|22}} | birth_place = Munich, Germany | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 4 | weight_lb = 205 | position = Goaltender | catches = Left | league = NHL | team = New Jersey Devils | prospect_team = Utica Comets | prospect_league = AHL | former_teams = ERC Ingolstadt | ntl_team = CAN | draft = 84th overall | draft_year = 2020 | draft_team = New Jersey Devils | career_start = 2020 | career_end = }} '''Nicolas Daws''' (born December 22, 2000) is a German–Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a goaltender for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clipperton |first1=Joshua |title=Undrafted Nico Daws trying to force way into Canada's world junior crease |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/nico-daws-world-junior-selection-camp-1.5393025 |website=CBC |publisher=The Canadian Press |access-date=December 9, 2023 |date=December 11, 2019}}</ref>
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.<ref name=":1" /> In October 2020, he was selected 84th overall in the third round of the 2020 NHL entry draft by the New Jersey Devils.<ref>{{cite web |title=NHL Draft 2020: Devils nab Nico Daws in 3rd round {{!}} Top-ranked North American goalie by Central Scouting |url=https://www.nj.com/devils/2020/10/nhl-draft-2020-devils-pick-nico-daws-in-3rd-round-ranked-no-1-north-american-goalie-by-central-scouting.html |website=nj |access-date=October 24, 2021 |date=October 7, 2020}}</ref>
On November 13, 2020, Daws signed a one-year contract with ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).<ref name="erc">{{cite web |title=ERC verpflichtet U20-Weltmeister |url=https://www.erc-ingolstadt.de/profis/newsdetail?id=6256 |website=erc-ingolstadt.de |access-date=October 24, 2021 |language=de-DE |date=November 13, 2020}}</ref> In 10 games with Ingolstadt during the 2020–21 season, Daws posted four wins, one shutout, and a 2.90 goals against average.<ref name=":2" />
On May 5, 2021, Daws signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Devils.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |title=RELEASE: Devils Sign Daws to Three-Year ELC |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/release-devils-sign-daws-to-three-year-elc/c-324371544 |website=NHL.com |access-date=October 24, 2021 |date=May 5, 2021}}</ref> Daws started the 2021–22 season with the Utica Comets of American Hockey League (AHL), the AHL affiliate of the Devils.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kasan |first1=Sam |title=Devils Cut Eight from Training Camp Roster |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/devils-cut-eight-from-training-camp-roster--blog/c-326660104 |website=NHL.com |access-date=October 24, 2021 |date=October 7, 2021}}</ref> He was recalled by the Devils on October 21,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kasan |first1=Sam |title=Nico Daws Recalled from Utica |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/nico-daws-recalled-from-utica--blog/c-327069892 |website=NHL.com |access-date=October 24, 2021 |date=October 21, 2021}}</ref> and made his NHL debut on October 23, in a 2–1 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pavel Zacha scores in OT to lift Devils past Sabres, 2-1 |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401349202 |website=ESPN |access-date=October 24, 2021 |date=October 23, 2021}}</ref>
In the 2022–23 season, playing exclusively for Utica, Daws was named to the 2023 AHL All-Star Game.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=NICO DAWS NAMED 2023 AHL ALL-STAR {{!}} Utica Comets Official Website |url=https://www.uticacomets.com/news/detail/nico-daws-named-2023-ahl-all-star |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=uticacomets.com}}</ref>
In the off-season before the 2023–24 season, Daws underwent acetabular labrum surgery.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Birnell |first=Ben |date=June 10, 2023 |title=Utica Comets' Nico Daws out for extended period after surgery |url=https://www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica-comets-ucfc/utica-comets-nico-daws-out-for-extended-period-after-surgery/article_26d492e4-6e76-5ffe-b0c5-2bc9af20d7ea.html |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Rome Sentinel}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Steve |title=Nico Daws makes 31 saves as Comets win in his season debut |url=https://www.romesentinel.com/townnews/sport/nico-daws-makes-31-saves-as-comets-win-in-his-season-debut/article_b4c5dd3a-9623-11ee-a589-2745522a0dda.html |website=Rome Sentinel |access-date=December 9, 2023 |date=December 8, 2023}}</ref> He made his NHL season debut on December 29, making 25 saves on 27 shots in a 6–2 win over the Ottawa Senators.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baird |first1=Jackson |title=Nico Daws, Jesper Bratt Lead Devils to Dominant 6-2 Win Over Ottawa Senators |url=https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2023/12/29/24019344/nico-daws-jesper-bratt-lead-devils-to-dominant-6-2-win-over-ottawa-senators-hughes-tkachuk-hischier |website=allaboutthejersey.com |publisher=SBNation |access-date=January 14, 2024 |date=December 29, 2023}}</ref>
On July 30, 2024, the Devils re-signed Daws to a two-year, $1.625 million contract extension with an average annual value of $812,500.<ref>{{cite web |title=Daws Inks to 2-Year Deal with Devils |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/nico-daws-inks-two-year-contract-release-7-30-24 |website=New Jersey Devils |access-date=July 30, 2024}}</ref> Over the course of the {{nhly|2024|app=season}}, Daws made four NHL appearances, posting three wins and a .939 save percentage. With the Comets, he recorded 11 wins and a .893 save percentage in 34 games.<ref name="waivers 10-6-25" />
On October 5, 2025, Daws was placed on waivers for the first time in his career. The following day, upon clearing, he was assigned to Utica.<ref name="waivers 10-6-25">{{cite web |last1=Amoia |first1=Daniel |title=Devils Dodge Bullet as Nico Daws Goes Unclaimed - The Hockey Writers New Jersey Devils Latest News, Analysis & More |url=https://thehockeywriters.com/devils-dodge-bullet-as-nico-daws-goes-unclaimed/ |website=The Hockey Writers |access-date=October 6, 2025 |date=October 6, 2025}}</ref>
==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.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last1=Franken |first1=Brian |title=2020 NHL Draft: Devils Picked Goaltender Nicolas Daws at 84th Overall in the 3rd Round |url=https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2020/10/7/21505850/2020-nhl-draft-devils-picked-goaltender-nicolas-daws-84th-overall-3rd-round |website=All About The Jersey |access-date=December 9, 2023 |date=October 7, 2020}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bedard, Celebrini highlight Canada's roster at the World Championship|url=https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada/connor-bedard-macklin-celebrini-highlight-canada-s-roster-at-the-world-championship-1.2114972|website=TSN|date=May 3, 2024|access-date=May 7, 2024}}</ref>
==Personal life== Born in Germany, Daws is also a citizen of Canada. His mother is German and his father Canadian.<ref name="erc" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Storm grad, OHL Goaltender of the Year Nico Daws signs entry-level NHL contract with Devils |url=https://ontariohockeyleague.com/article/storm-grad-ohl-goaltender-of-the-year-nico-daws-signs-entry-level-nhl-contract-with-devils |website=ontariohockeyleague.com |access-date=October 24, 2021 |date=May 5, 2021}}</ref>
==Career statistics==
===Regular season and playoffs=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="width:75%; text-align:center;" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="9" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"|Regular season ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="8" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"|Playoffs |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP !! W !! L !! OTL !! MIN !! GA !! SO !! GAA !! SV% ! GP !! W !! L !! MIN !! GA !! SO !! GAA !! SV% |- | 2017–18 | Guelph Storm | OHL | 14 || 1 || 7 || 2 || 622 || 42 || 0 || 4.06 || .880 | 2 || 0 || 0 || 40 || 4 || 0 || 6.00 || .826 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2018–19 | Guelph Storm | OHL | 20 || 10 || 5 || 3 || 1,126 || 61 || 1 || 3.25 || .893 | 2 || 0 || 0 || 38 || 3 || 0 || 4.81 || .800 |- | 2019–20 | Guelph Storm | OHL | 38 || 23 || 8 || 6 || 2,254 || 93 || 5 || 2.48 || .924 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2020–21 | ERC Ingolstadt | DEL | 10 || 4 || 6 || 0 || 580 || 28 || 1 || 2.90 || .898 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- | 2021–22 | Utica Comets | AHL | 21 || 14 || 4 || 2 || 1,205 || 51 || 1 || 2.54 || .916 | 4 || 2 || 2 || 240 || 12 || 0 || 3.01 || .891 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2021–22 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 25 || 10 || 11 || 1 || 1,272 || 66 || 0 || 3.11 || .893 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- | 2022–23 | Utica Comets | AHL | 33 || 16 || 14 || 3 || 1,953 || 88 || 2 || 2.70 || .904 | 6 || 3 || 3 || 373 || 16 || 1 || 2.57 || .920 |- bgcolor="f0f0f0" | 2023–24 | Utica Comets | AHL | 10 || 2 || 6 || 2 || 581 || 28 || 0 || 2.89 || .890 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- | 2023–24 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 21 || 9 || 11 || 0 || 1,145 || 60 || 0 || 3.15 || .894 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="f0f0f0" | 2024–25 | Utica Comets | AHL | 34 || 11 || 20 || 2 || 1,956 || 103 || 1 || 3.16 || .893 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- | 2024–25 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 6 || 3 || 1 || 0 || 263 || 7 || 0 || 1.60 || .939 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3"|DEL totals ! 10 !! 4 !! 6 !! 0 !! 580 !! 28 !! 1 !! 2.90 !! .898 ! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3"|NHL totals ! 52 !! 22 !! 23 !! 1 !! 2,678 !! 133 !! 0 !! 2.98 !! .898 ! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — !! — |} {{MedalTableTop|name=no}} {{MedalCountry|{{ihj|CAN}}}} {{MedalSport|Men's ice hockey}} {{MedalCompetition|World Junior Championships}} {{MedalGold|2020 Czech Republic|}} {{MedalBottom}}
===International=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em;" |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! GP !! W !! L !! T !! MIN !! GA !! SO !! GAA !! SV% |- | 2020 | Canada | WJC | {{gold1}} | 2 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 82 || 8 || 0 || 5.83 || .840 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" | 2024 | Canada | WC | 4th | 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 60 || 1 || 0 || 1.00 || .833 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="4"|Junior totals ! 2 !! 1 !! 1 !! 0 !! 82 !! 8 !! 0 !! 5.83 !! .840 |- bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="4"|Senior totals ! 1 !! 1 !! 0 !! 0 !! 60 !! 1 !! 0 !! 1.00 !! .833 |} {{clear}}
==Awards and honours== {| class="wikitable" ! Award ! Year ! Ref |- ! colspan="3"|OHL |- | First Team All-Star | 2020 | rowspan="2" | <ref name=":1" /> |- | Goaltender of the Year | 2020 |- ! colspan="3"|AHL |- | AHL All-Star Game | 2023 | <ref name=":0" /> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Ice hockey stats}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Daws, Nico}} Category:2000 births Category:Living people Category:Canadian ice hockey goaltenders Category:ERC Ingolstadt players Category:German ice hockey goaltenders Category:Guelph Storm players Category:New Jersey Devils draft picks Category:New Jersey Devils players Category:Ice hockey people from Munich Category:Utica Comets players