As we get further along with our weekly New Jersey Devils Fan Spotlight segment, we hope everyone is enjoying getting to know some of the best fans in sports. As always, if you wish to be featured in an upcoming article don’t hesitate to contact us either on Twitter (@pitchforkedpuck) or on Facebook. Week Six of this segment features Shane Zuczek, 24, from Sayreville, New Jersey. Shane is a huge Devils’ fan and a second-year season ticket holder. He attends every home game he possibly can, usually with his girlfriend Jamie – who was featured in our debut FS article. When Shane isn’t at the Rock, he’s an auxiliary cop and a goalie for adult open hockey.
Let’s see what Shane had to say about the New Jersey Devils:
1) What made you become a Devils’ fan?
Shane Zuczek takes a photo with Stephen Gionta at a season ticket holder event.
There were several main reasons I became a Devils fan as a kid, although to be honest my current super fandom didn’t even start until I was 19 when I finally attended my first game. During the 2000, 2001, and 2003 playoff runs I remember my father watching the games and, although his interest in hockey dropped off after that for some reason, seeing your father root for a certain sports team usually is a helping influence on a young mind; though I can blame his influence on why I’m a suffering Met and Jet fan. I guess growing up a Jersey boy and having a lot of Devil fan friends also helps rooting interest, but nothing really makes a person a fan more then attending their first game. Although my first Devil game was a 5-2 loss to the Panthers early in the 09-10 season, I’ve been hooked on Devils hockey ever since.
2) What are your thoughts on the season so far?
Honestly I excepted a lot more out of this season so I am extremely disappointed so far and at this point I don’t see much happening. The firing of Peter DeBoer was great, and seeing Scott Stevens and Adam Oates behind the bench (though weird having both of them back there) is a much better sight to see. I’m not a fan of the idea of “tanking” but at this point the playoffs are out of the picture and I would really hope a first or second overall pick is in this team’s future because they need a lift and some youth. At this point I can’t wait for the trade deadline to see if we can drop some of these older vets who could possibly help a potential playoff team so we can play our younger guys we got cooking up in Albany.
3) Who is your favorite current Devil? Favorite former Devil? Why?
My current favorite Devil is far and away Bryce Salvador…..
JUST KIDDING HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA
But really my favorite Devil player is Cory Schneider. Not Corey. Cory. A few years ago I had Schneider on my fantasy team so I kept an eye on his playing and grew to really appreciate how well he played goal. I personally thought he was the better goalie in Vancouver during his time with Roberto Luongo, so when we made the trade for him I was PUMPED. He has been exceptional for the Devils and I know some fans feel he kicked Marty out of here, but he has earned the right to be this team’s starting goalie. Honorable Mention: Adam Henrique, and not just for his goal that beat the Rangers and sent us to the Cup, also because he is probably the best all-around forward this team has and is one of the few guys on this current Devils team that plays like he cares.
As for favorite former player, I still have to say Ilya Kovalchuk. I know he kind of stabbed us in the back with his “retirement” to go make more money in the now failing KHL, but while he was here he was exciting to watch and a huge reason the Devils make that deep run in 2012. Honorable Mention: Marty Brodeur, because GOD.
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4) What’s your favorite part of attending Devils games? If you haven’t been able to make it out to any games, do you have any plans of doing so in the future? What are you looking forward to?
As a season ticket holder last season and this season, I make it out to a lot of games (only missed 4 in one and a half seasons). I’m a hockey fan over everything, so just being able to watch the best players in the world play right in front of me is always a treat. I’ve made a lot of friends because of the Devils and coming to games, and even when the team isn’t playing good at all (like right now) the atmosphere around the Rock is always a fun one to be around. One thing I know I am looking forward to, and can’t wait for, is when this team is back on top and going to games to watch meaningful hockey comes back because this place is insane and a hell of time to be at after a big win.
5) What’s the most memorable game you’ve ever been at, or remember watching on television?
Easy… May 25th, 2012. Rangers at Devils. Eastern Conference Final. Game 6. I shelled out $200 for a ticket on stubhub for an upper level seat and it was worth every penny. The atmosphere was insane, and the result was just pure, pure goodness. Runners up would have to be either Travis Zajac’s OT winner in game 6 against Florida or Alexei Ponikarovsky’s game-winner against the Flyers in game 3 against Philly (on my 22nd birthday I might add, May 3rd people I accept cards and gifts). Best game on TV would probably have to be from that same playoff season, Henrique’s double overtime goal to win game 7 against the Panthers; I woke up the whole house while I was celebrating.
We want to thank Shane for taking the time to answer our questions, and also for his service as a police officer. Don’t forget to contact us if you wish to be featured. Let’s go Devils!