This Saturday night Patrik Elias became the fifth New Jersey Devil to have his number retired. Elias' number 26 jersey banner was raised to the rafters of Prudential Center prior to the Devils' game with the Islanders.
After his Thursday news conference, I had a brief chat with Patrik about his big night and his thoughts on playing in Newark.
During the interview, the Devils all-time leading scorer mentioned why former teammate Brendan Morrison is so special to him. Morrison will be at Saturday's jersey retirement ceremony. Elias also told me how his wife Petra is responsible for how well he treated the media throughout much of his humble and respected career.
During the news conference this week, Elias talked about the bond he built with Devils' fans. The forward spent his entire career with New Jersey.
Elias is the first offensive player to have his Devils number retired. The other four were responsible for keeping the puck out of their own net: Defensemen Ken Daneyko (#3), Scott Stevens (#4), Scott Niedermayer (#27) and goalie Martin Brodeur (#30). All four will be on hand for Saturday's ceremony.
Elias had a large group of family members coming in from the Czech Republic to celebrate his big night.
There were plenty of cheers and tears during the course of the ceremony on the ice. Several chants of "Paddy, Paddy" broke out as fans chanted passionately for one of their Stanley Cup heroes.
The Devils didn't disappoint the fans, putting on a spectacular ceremony highlighted by Elias' touching and personal "thank you" to the fans for supporting him through good and bad times with the team.
Elias is very proud of the fact he played all 20 NHL with New Jersey. He started when the Devils called the Meadowlands ice home in East Rutherford. While he admits the team hasn't won a Stanley Cup since moving to Prudential Center in Newark, the love affair between the fans and him grew even stronger.
Click above to hear Doug Doyle's report on Patrik Elias night at the Rock.
