Detroit City Wire

Jacob Bernard-Docker has joined the Detroit Red Wings on a one-year free-agent contract, aiming to strengthen the team’s defense and add depth ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season.

“There’s a lot of potential there, and [Detroit] is a team on the right trajectory,” Bernard-Docker said during his introductory media call. “I’m super excited to go there, show what I got and hopefully be a contributor.”

Bernard-Docker was drafted by Ottawa in 2018 as the 26th overall pick. Last season, he split his time between the Ottawa Senators and Buffalo Sabres, tallying eight points (two goals, six assists) and recording a plus-5 rating across 40 games.

“Jacob Bernard-Docker gives us a little bit of depth on defense… an effective player in his time in Ottawa in particular,” said Steve Yzerman, Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager. “He plays hard and competes.”

Bernard-Docker described himself as a player who is “annoying and kind of always on guys,” emphasizing that maintaining physicality is something he aims to bring more consistently this season.

“That’s another part of my game in the NHL, I feel like maybe hasn’t been as consistent as I want it to be, is just the physicality aspect,” he said. “And there’s been some games where I think I’ve shown I can do that.”

He also expressed interest in contributing to Detroit’s penalty kill unit.

"That's one area where I was really looking to develop and show how I played in the minors and maybe I haven't shown as much as I'd like to in the NHL yet," Bernard-Docker said. "It's an area that I think is a strong part of my game. I'm willing to block shots and I'm pretty good on my stick.”

Having previously played for two other Atlantic Division teams, Bernard-Docker sees similarities among their rosters’ young talent.

"In a way it's a similar group to where I was in Ottawa, with a real good young core,” he said. “Buffalo had a real good core. [Detroit is] on that edge of breaking out. There’s a lot of real good players on the team.”

The Red Wings will begin their annual Training Camp at Centre ICE Arena in Traverse City, Michigan on September 18. Like many teammates, Bernard-Docker looks forward to starting preparations for the upcoming season.

“I’m hoping to come in and be someone that can be a guy that is relied upon every night,” he said. “Just be real solid, physical and play my game.”