Another important player for the Jersey Devils has announced his retirement due to this heartbreaking…
NEWARK, New Jersey Prior to their Saturday game against the New York Islanders, the New Jersey Devils held a ceremony to retire Patrik Elias’ No. 26 jersey, which he wore as the career scoring leader.
After 20 years in New Jersey, the 41-year-old former Czech forward played his last game in 2016. He left the organization with most of the scoring records and two Stanley Cup championships.
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“There’s no way I could have ever dreamed of this day as someone growing up in Eastern Europe, in a communist country,” Elias remarked, tears welling up in his eyes as he spoke, interrupted many times by shouts of “Paddy! Paddy!”
Elias, who has always been a fan favorite, entered the Prudential Center through a portion of the stands before joining his wife, two kids, former and present teammates, as well as the owners and management of the team, on the ice.
The Stanley Cup and the Prince of Wales trophy, which go to the winner of the Eastern Conference, were encircled by larger pucks bearing the same number on the ice podium, which was formed like a puck with the number 26 on it.
In Game 7 of the 2000 Eastern Conference finals against Philadelphia, Elias scored the game-winning goal. Elias played on four conference-champion teams.
Elias is the first forward and the first player from Europe to have the Devils retire his number. The jerseys of goaltender Martin Brodeur (No. 30), defensemen Scott Niedermayer (No. 27), Ken Daneyko (No. 3), and defenseman Scott Stevens (No. 4) were also retired. Brodeur received the largest round of applause out of the four people present.
Elias’ No. 26 was rightfully hoisted to the ceiling at the Prudential Center game versus the Islanders, who he had the most points against (86) and played the most games against (91).
In terms of points (1025), goals (408), assists (617), points in a season (96), points in a postseason (23), and game-winning goals (80), Elias leads the Devils in all of these categories.
