Rod Davidson

Rod Davidson was born in Inverness, Nova Scotia in 1947, but has called Brantford home since his family moved here in 1951. He developed a deep love for hockey at a young age, starting out by playing on outdoor ice rinks; he went on to play Junior Hockey with the Paris Mounties and later played Senior Hockey on various teams in Ontario. He was also very influential in the start-up and success of the Oldtimers Hockey League, and has organized and played in tournaments around the world. 

Davidson’s professional hockey career began in 1992 when he was asked to watch players during tryouts for the Brantford Smoke of the Colonial Hockey League. What was to be a short term assignment turned into the role of Assistant Coach and Director of Player Personnel for their 1992-1993 season; his first major achievement in the sport as the team went on to win the Colonial Cup that year.

From there, Davidson quickly shifted his career focus towards professional hockey and never looked back. His roles varied and include the following:

• General Manager, Utica Bulldogs 1993-94 (AHL)
• Scout, Denver and Utah Grizzles 1994-97 (IHL) affiliated with the Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
• Assistant Coach, Tallahassee Tigersharks 1997-98 (ECHL)
• Head Coach Head of Hockey Operations, Alexandria Warthogs 1998-99 (WPHL)
• Head Coach Head of Hockey Operations, Indianapolis Ice 1999-2002 (CHL)
• Head Coach, Anchorage Aces 2002-2003 (WCHL)
• League Commissioner, All American Hockey League (AAHL) 2009-2011
• Head Coach, Battle Creek Revolution 2012-2014 (NA3HL)
• Head Coach, Danville Dashers 2019 (FHL)
• Head Coach, Binghamton Black Bears (FPHL)

Davidson’s career highlights include: 

• 2010, the trophy awarded to the All American Hockey League (AAHL) champion was named the Davidson Cup in his honour for being an instrumental part of the league through coaching, management and as commissioner
• Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations, Indianapolis Ice, 2000 Ray Miron President’s Cup (CHL)
• Scout, Utah Grizzlies, 1996 Turner Cup Champions (IHL)
• Scout, Denver Grizzlies, 1995 Turner Cup Champions (IHL)Assistant Coach/Director of Player Personnel, Brantford Smoke, 1993 Colonial Cup Champions (CoHL).

Over his long career, he has also mentored countless young, aspiring hockey players, providing them with free advice and acting as an Agent on their behalf. No matter the time of year, Rod Davidson will undoubtedly have at least one phone conversation a day centered on hockey with one of the connections he has made over his long and distinguished career and is fondly remembered by many friends in the communities he’s worked in as “Coach Rod.”