Hector Marini – 1983 NHL All-Star Game
The New Jersey Devils had Don Lever represent them at the first All-Star Game in the history of their franchise. He was the man to score the first goal in New Jersey Devils history and he was the franchise’s first captain. It made a lot of sense for him to be the team’s first All-Star representative.
In season two, that representative was Hector Marini. Marini was known as a tough son of a gun who had this great season in 1982-83. He had 45 points, by far the most he’s ever had in his career. He finally made it to the NHL as a full-time player after moving from the New York Islanders to the Devils. He then made the All-Star Game.
Something happened the next season that caused the Devils to send their former All-Star to the minors. He was there for most of his career, which actually ended two years later after he suffered an eye injury. Marini was hit in the face by a slap shot off his teammate’s stick while playing for Fort Wayne. They tried to save his eye, but it didn’t regain his vision, and they had to replace the eye entirely.
Marini is just a name most people might not recognize, but his name will always live in New Jersey Devils history. He was the second ever All-Star.