New Jersey Devils forward Paul Cotter He has been chasing a dream for years.
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A dream within reach Vegas Golden Knights drafted him 115th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft.
Only four games in the first 173 games of Cotter’s career gave him a chance to make his dream of facing Sidney Crosby come true.
After the team’s morning skate, Hockey News he sat with a 25-year-old young man, who was smiling, remembering the time he almost saw his dream come true.
“It happened once (in Vegas),” Cotter said. “It was me, Jack Eichel, and Jonathan Marchessault on the line. Eichel was taking the draw (against Crosby), and I jumped early.”
For clarification purposes, Hockey News he asked if he jumped early on purpose.
“Yes on purpose” he said laughing. “Then (Marchessault) came in and took it and went (to me), ‘Hey, back off.’ I’m like, well, that defeats the whole purpose of me jumping in early.”
For most of Cotter’s life, he was the center, a position he still loves.
“Vegas thought I was a better fit for the wing,” he said. “I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because we had so many fireplaces, so, in order to fit in myself, I had to change a little bit, which obviously happened.”
As a junior center, Cotter learned Crosby’s techniques and techniques in the faceoff circle. Those years of study made the native of Canton, Michigan confident that he would leave the circle victorious over his idol.
“And if I don’t win a draw, I never think about that,” he said.
At the end of the Devils’ morning skate, Cotter was working in an opposing circle Dawson Mercerwho will be his starting teammate for Saturday night’s game.
Through 35 games, Cotter has taken 33 snaps with New Jersey and is 54.5% successful. During the group’s recent road trip, he was the one person facing the group Columbus Blue Jackets and one-on-one against Louis Blues in the dots.
If Erik Haulawho will line up Cotter, is being kicked out of the circle, could tonight be Cotter’s night to finally cross off the most important item on his bucket list?
One thing’s for sure: there’s also a fun little story to keep our eyes on as the Devils look to earn two points in front of their home crowd.
Puck drop between the Devils and Penguins will be at 7:08 PM Fans can watch on MSGSN or listen on Devils Hockey Network.
Be sure to bookmark THN site for the New Jersey Devils for the latest THN news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and much more.
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