Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils: Looking At Canadian Players On Their Day

By Joseph Stanislau

TORONTO, ONTARIO - NOVEMBER 09: Martin Brodeur poses with his Hall of Fame plaque following a press conference and photo opportunity at the Great Hall in the Hockey Hall Of Fame on November 09, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - NOVEMBER 09: Martin Brodeur poses with his Hall of Fame plaque following a press conference and photo opportunity at the Great Hall in the Hockey Hall Of Fame on November 09, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Over the years in New Jersey, G.M. Ray Shero has been living up to his father’s surname Shero. Fred Shero his father was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada who led the Flyers onto become The Broad Street Bullies. Hockey has always bean in Ray’s blood.

From Manitoba in the past several seasons under Ray Shero is Travis Zajac. The Manitoban has been a key center in the growth and development since Shero took over as GM. This upcoming season, Travis’ role will be more about getting a guy like Jack Hughes under his wing. By having Hughes under the veteran centers supervision, this Winnipeg natives leadership on game day and off the ice will be very important.

Over to Saskatchewan is offensive defenseman Damon Severson. This Kelowna Rocket alum has been blossoming as a young and promising defenseman who has gone through the ups and downs. He is proven to be one of the current best offensive threats along with new teammate and fellow countryman P.K. Subban.

Calgary, Alberta native Taylor Hall has done so many things under Ray Shero offensively. Hall has proven to be a true offensive weapon who can make a lot of things happen with his speed, skill, smarts, and his senses. A lot of the time, the past Hart Trophy winner makes scoring goals look so easy.  With Taylor having guys like Hischier, Hughes, Bratt, Palmieri, and Subban around I wouldn’t be surprised to see a playoff run and him re-signing long term in New Jersey.

Ontario native and recently new Devil P.K. Subban has an amazing overall game. His skating, his smarts make him very unpredictable to play against, his energy is second to none, and his love for the game of hockey after scoring on a slap shot is the Happy Gilmore effect in the NHL today. By saying Happy Gilmore I mean in a good way because his energy from his playing days in Montreal and Nashville have been a very attractive trait for new and existing hockey fans.

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Thunder Bay, Ontario has done very well in producing NHL talented players and one that is in New Jersey is Mackenzie Blackwood. Blackwood has proven he can steal spots from a backup like Keith Kinkaid that eventually got him traded at the Trade Deadline to Columbus (Shero won that trade). Mac is gaining his confidence and has proven to be an excellent showman making sprawling saves, and staying squared to the puck at all costs. This Ontario boy is going to be a gem if he can play well in front of a newly improved Devils defense.

In the past, Ray Shero hired Montreal, Quebec native, and New Jersey Devils legend,  Martin Brodeur. Brodeur has done a lot of sensational things in his tenure before Shero became the team G.M. Now that Martin is on the business side of Devils hockey he has not only made appearances on podcasts but he has also helped rep the New Jersey Devils brand. Ray summoned Martin Brodeur to summoned the words “With The first pick overall. The New Jersey Devils are proud to select from the US Program.. Jack Hughes.” Martin Brodeur many moons ago was drafted 20th overall in Vancouver, British Columbia years later he made his mark on the NJ Devils draft day a few weeks ago.

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