Defenseman Brandon Davidson has signed a professional tryout contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, reports Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal. The deal will allow the 27-year-old free agent to skate with the Hawks during preseason camp, with the hopes of getting signed to the 23-man roster before the team’s season opener Oct. 4 at Ottawa.
Davidson scored four goals with three assists in 51 games with the Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders. The left-handed defenseman has nine goals and 13 assists in 152 career NHL games.
After signing his first professional contract with the Oilers in 2012, Davidson was diagnosed with testicular cancer during a routine physical. He made a full recovery to play the next season, and was awarded the Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award for his sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey.
Davidson, who is 6-foot-2 and 217 pounds, could join the pool of left-handed defensemen along with Duncan Keith, Gustav Forsling, Erik Gustafsson, Blake Hillman and the newly-acquired Brandon Manning. Forsling, however, will be out until Oct. 30 as he recovers from an offseason surgery on his right wrist. Keith and Gustafsson are expected to take the top two spots on the left side, while the other three battle out for the spot on third line.