Joe Cirella – 1984 NHL All-Star Game
Not many New Jersey Devils fans knew the name “Joe Cirella” prior to this weekend, but there were multiple references to him during the All-Star Game, so maybe this isn’t as surprising as it was last week. It’s still not a well-known member of the New Jersey Devils. Cirella was the fifth overall pick of the 1981 NHL Draft, a team that was then the Colorado Rockies. He made his NHL debut during the Devils first year in New Jersey.
He was named this weekend because he is the same exact age as Jack Hughes when he made the All-Star Game. 20 years and 267 days old when both Hughes and Cirella made the All-Star Game. Since they both scored a goal, they are tied for the youngest player to score a goal in Devils All-Star history. Cirella also had an assist on his conference’s game-winning goal. Hughes ended up scoring the game-winning goal in this All-Star Game.
Cirella was able to play in the one All-Star Game that was played in New Jersey. However, it wasn’t in the Prudential Center or even the Continental Airlines Arena. It was played at Brendan Byrne Arena. Cirella scored the first goal of the game, which we imagined excited the home crowd. Chico Resch also made the All-Star Game.
Cirella gave hope to Devils fans in 1984. He was someone who had a ton of talent. He never hit the heights that he had in the 1983-84 season. He had 44 points that season. That is a statline he never hit again. It happens sometimes, where players hit their peak at a very early age. Cirella still carved out a 14-year NHL career.