New Jersey Devils: Talk With Cole Brady Before He Heads To UMass

After being drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 5th Round of the 2019 NHL Draft goaltender Cole Brady began his possible path to the NHL at Arizona State University in the fall of 2020. As a freshman, he saw action in 13 games and finished the campaign with a record of 3-5-2, a .910 save percentage, and a 3.31 GAA. In his final appearance of the season, he blanked Ohio State behind a 41-save performance.

As a sophomore with the Sun Devils, Brady appeared in 12 games with a record of 5-6-0, a .900 save percentage, and a 3.89 GAA. After starting off the 2022 calendar year with back-to-back wins over Cornell stopping 31-saves in both games, Brady only saw action in two games the rest of the season.

Brady announced he would be transferring to the University of Massachusetts after the season. When I asked if the lack of playing time at the end of the season was injury related and may have led to his transfer Brady simply said, “That was just a coach’s decision; I wasn’t injured. Just different outlooks on things and I decided to move on.”

Last week Brady was in New Jersey along with the other Devils’ Prospects to participate in their annual Development Camp. Following the 3-on-3 scrimmages in the middle of the week, Pucks and Pitchforks caught up with the netminder to ask about his development, his transfer, and more.

Pucks & Pitchforks: What has the week been like being here in New Jersey with your fellow prospects and all of the coaches here?

Cole Brady: It’s been incredible. I haven’t been here in a while, just because of covid, it’s nice to come back and see familiar faces and get back into the swing of things; to see where you’re at as far as developing. It’s fun to be here and hopefully, the fans had a fun experience today.

I was here like two years ago, so I don’t remember much but it’s good to be back and experience these kinds of things again. My first time here was definitely nerve-wracking, just being here – it’s an intimidating place. Everyone is so welcoming, I’m thankful for the experience.

P&P: Have you been able to talk to Martin Brodeur at all?

CB: I haven’t gotten the chance to talk to him 1-on-1 yet, but I’ve seen him around and he’s been in a couple of our meetings. Obviously, everyone knows who he is here and he’s a big name – probably the biggest name this team has. It’s kinda cool having someone like that on your side. Growing up, he’s one of the guys they talk about as the greatest of all time. Just having that presence in the room is kind of a big deal.

P&P: Have the Devils spoken with you about your development to this point?

CB: Just checking up on me to see where I’m at, happy with the way things are going and I’m just trying to do my best every year and just keep moving forward.

P&P: What was it like playing at a young program like ASU?

CB: It was good, a really great opportunity, and I met a lot of great guys while I was there. It’s become a pretty established program, which everyone can see now what they’ve done. It was really good to be a part of that ride and just contribute in a little way.

P&P: Is there anyone here this week that you hated playing against?

CB: We played against Case McCarthy and BU – they have a strong D-corps and he was a big part of that. They move the puck really well and it was a tough series for us against them; things didn’t go too well for us.

P&P: You’re kind of hard to miss in the games today with the bright yellow Sun Devil pads and equipment.

CB: This was the first time I’ve ever worn anything kinda flashy, I’m usually a simple guy. The backplate on my mask has stayed the same since I started playing – the Canadian flag and the breast cancer logo for my mom. Everything else on the mask just represents the team, but anything I can add to it that has a piece of my personality is a bonus.

Cole’s mother is doing well.

P&P: How excited are you about transferring to UMass?

CB: A lot. I’m just looking for a fresh start, a new opportunity and it’s kind of neat to be going to a program that is fresh off of winning it all a year ago. Obviously, it’s a big privilege and you understand what you’re walking into – back-to-back Hockey East champions and the National Championship a year ago, so I’m excited for the opportunity to be there. They have a lot of great things going on there and with Greg Carvel behind the bench, I’m just excited to get going.

P&P: As you leave here this week, what’s next?

CB: I just go through every day and try to compete the best that I can, and develop myself; whether it’s getting stronger off the ice or on the ice. Just trying to do the best that I can to develop my game and when I get to UMass I just want to contribute however I can and be the best teammate that I can be.