Good news! The New Jersey Devils all-time player has officially announced her marriage to the Boston PWHL.
You never consider the end when you’re playing.
Not that they’re gullible. Whether they are playing youth hockey, junior hockey, college hockey, or, if they are fortunate and skilled enough, NHL hockey, all players know that one day it will all come to an end.
For the last 15 years, Travis Zajac has had the good fortune to play in the National Hockey League. He represented the wonderful state of New Jersey at that time by sporting the Devils insignia on his chest.
“It’s an extremely emotional feeling to think about where it all began and where I am right now,” said Zajac. “A lot of memories.”
Perhaps more recollections existed. Zajac had even anticipated there would be. He was hoping to play one more season with the Devils in New Jersey after last season.
However, plans alter, as they frequently do.
“I took a few months off following the previous season, and then I took even more time off.” In a lengthy and exclusive interview, Zajac told the Devils’ official website, “I realized that I didn’t have that fire in me to keep going.” “I never fell out of love with the game of hockey itself, but I did fall out of love with what it takes to keep playing—the time, the commitment, the conditioning, the sacrifice.”
Thus, a few months later, he made up his mind.
It was the same choice that he had previously witnessed great players and teammates like Patrik Elias and Martin Brodeur make. These folks, who hold immense significance for the company, are the ones Zajac had battled and played with.
He now has the opportunity.
Zajac remarked, “Time flies and here we are.” “And now is the appropriate moment for me to bid you farewell.”
Being able to retire on his own terms while still being reasonably young and in good physical and mental health is a luxury that not many people have. Rarely is a gift like that bestowed. However, after considering all the options, the choice seemed obvious.
“Now, more than playing, it meant being able to be with my family, see more of my kids, be involved in their school and sports, spend more time with my beautiful wife, and dedicate myself to being a husband and father.” “I realized then that it was time to stop playing the game.
“I’ve been happy for the last fifteen years, but I’m also looking forward to the future. I’m prepared to start the next phase of my life. I created some amazing memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life, as well as some wonderful friendships that will never fade.
Zajac is giving up skating, but he isn’t giving up his jersey. He will continue to serve the organization in a consulting and player development capacity both on and off the ice, all the while assisting in expanding the club’s youth hockey initiatives. Zajac will continue to wear the Devils insignia over his chest almost twenty years after he first joined the team.
Alternatively, in his own words: “I am and always will be a Devil.”
You never consider the end when you’re playing. Now that it’s here, though, it’s difficult to avoid looking back at the start. Growing up, Zajac skated on an outdoor rink in Winnipeg. Later, he played in over 1,000 NHL games, competed for an NCAA championship with North Dakota, and now plays for the Devils in the Stanley Cup.
In addition, he married Nicole and became the father of three amazing and active kids: Veronika, age 7, Anya, age 4, and son Zenon, age 9.
“You never know where life will lead you,” Zajac remarked. “To be able to play 1,000 games, to be a member of the New Jersey Devils, to have three children, to have grown up, and to be married to my lovely wife.” There are a ton of amazing recollections.
“I feel nothing but blessed, and there’s no other way for me to put it.”
