The Detroit Red Wings have agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension with defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker, the club announced Wednesday evening.
Bernard-Docker, 25, has appeared in 55 games with the Red Wings this season, collecting four points (all assists) while averaging exactly 15 minutes of ice time. The Canmore, Alberta product had been slated to become a restricted free agent this summer upon the conclusion of his existing one-year deal with the Red Wings.
According to the Red Wings, Bernard-Docker’s new contract carries an annual cap hit of $1.6 million, representing a significant increase from his current $875,000 salary. The 6’1″ right-shot defender will be eligible for unrestricted free agency when his new deal expires in 2028.
UPDATE: The #RedWings have signed Jacob Bernard-Docker to a two-year contract extension with an AAV of $1.6M.
The Ottawa Senators originally selected Bernard-Docker in the first round (No. 26 overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft, making him the highest-drafted player to that point in the history of the AJHL’s Okotoks Oilers. Bernard-Docker spent the following three seasons at the University of North Dakota before turning pro with the Senators in 2021.
Bernard-Docker appeared in parts of five seasons with the Senators to begin his career, setting career highs in games played (74), goals (4), assists (10), and points (14) with the club in the 2023-24 season. Midway through the following season, the Senators traded Bernard-Docker and Josh Norris to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert, and a 2026 second-round pick.
The Sabres allowed Bernard-Docker to leave for Detroit as a non-tendered RFA after he played in just 15 games with them to finish the 2024-25 campaign. He signed his one-year deal with the Red Wings on July 1, 2025.
Through 199 career NHL games over parts of six seasons with the Senators, Sabres, and Red Wings, Bernard-Docker has collected six goals and 28 points. He has yet to make his Stanley Cup Playoff debut.
