The New Jersey Devils welcome the Anaheim Ducks to the Prudential Center on Monday night. That also marks the first time ever Adam Henrique returns as a member of the enemy. The fans should give him the biggest ovation possible.
It’s finally here. 19 days after the New Jersey Devils rocked the hockey world by trading Adam Henrique to the Anaheim Ducks, he will be returning to the Prudential Center for the first time as an opponent. This is the first time in Rico’s career that fans will be rooting against him in New Jersey.
Henrique deserves the very best ovation of any returning player. For a franchise that watched fan favorites leave in the worst ways possible, Henrique never wanted to leave. He was on the ice while Zach Parise spurned them to go to Minnesota. Henrique tried to step up his game after Ilya Kovalchuk retired in the middle of his contract. He was even there when Devils fans were forced to watch Martin Brodeur play seven worthless games with the St. Louis Blues.
Henrique was the face of a franchise that was struggling to find their footing. Don’t get me wrong, there were some fun times during this five year run, but there were more downs than ups. For every Jaromir Jagr goal, there was three third period blown leads. Despite that, Henrique never wavered. He wanted to be a Devil for as long as possible.
Let’s not forget the biggest impact he had on Devils history. He was the single most important player on the Devils run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012. Every major NHL analyst picked them to lose to Philadelphia and New York, but the Devils weren’t having it. However, if it’s not for Henrique then they might not even make it there. He scored in double overtime in game seven against the Florida Panthers. Think about that for a second. He scored when the next goal means moving on or going home. As a rookie no less.
Then, there was possibly the most famous goal in Devils history. That’s saying something when one Devils goal literally won the Stanley Cup in overtime.
Henrique, it’s over. Those words will live in infamy forever. Doc Emrick, who owns his own place in the hearts of Devils fans, screamed those words as the Devils won the right to return to the Stanley Cup Finals. Not only that, but eliminating the New York Rangers in the process.
Next: New Jersey Devils: Assessing Potential Erik Karlsson Trade
Give the Devil his due. Henrique deserves everything from fans on Monday night. He was a philanthropist. Henrique was a consummate professional. He was everything you want from a player and more. That’s why the Devils and its fans need to show their appreciation. Hopefully, all the fans in the Prudential Center give him a five minute standing ovation. That’s what Rico deserves.