In a move that blends nostalgia with necessity, the Laval Rocket have signed veteran defenseman Josiah Didier to a professional tryout contract, reigniting a connection that dates back over a decade. At 32, Didier may not have NHL games on his résumé, but his reputation as a warrior in the AHL is undeniable — and his return to the Canadiens organization feels like unfinished business.
Drafted 97th overall by Montreal in 2011, Didier once wore the colors of the Hamilton Bulldogs and St. John’s IceCaps, grinding through the system without ever breaking into the NHL spotlight. Now, with the Rocket missing key defensemen like David Reinbacher, William Trudeau, and Josh Jacobs, his arrival is more than symbolic — it’s strategic.
With nearly 500 AHL games under his belt and recent captaincies with the Providence Bruins and Grand Rapids Griffins, Didier brings grit, leadership, and a quiet intensity that younger players can lean on. Last season, he posted two goals, six assists, and a +10 rating in 58 games — numbers that speak to consistency, not flash.
Some fans are already celebrating the move. “Nice pickup,” one wrote on social media. “He was good defensively, been a fan since we drafted him out of the USHL.” Others see it as a chance for Didier to finally claim a permanent role in the organization he never truly left.
Whether this is a farewell tour or a second wind, one thing is clear: Josiah Didier is not here to be remembered — he’s here to be counted on.