BUFFALO | The New Jersey Devils just finished their third game in the rookie tournament. They celebrated their first win with a 4-2 win against the hopefuls Boston Bruins.
In the corridor at the exit of the rink, Simon Nemec waits for his teammates to congratulate them, dressed in a hoodie in the Devils colors. The second overall pick in the 2022 draft was granted waivers for this final meeting.
In Buffalo, Nemec didn’t have to fight for his future with the Devils. The Slovakian will save his energy for the team’s big camp.
Of the four first-place finishers in the Class of 2022, all four took different paths last year.
Juraj Slafkovsky made the jump straight to Montreal in the NHL, Nemec played for the Utica Comets in the American League, Logan Cooley played for the University of Minnesota Gophers and Shane Wright commuted between Seattle, Coachella Valley and Windsor.
In an interview with the Journal, the defenseman spoke about his experiences in the American League when he was just 18 years old.
“I learned a lot, but mostly about the way to play hockey in North America,” Nemec noted. “I had to play more physically and spend more time improving my game on my own turf.”
An adaptation
Statistically speaking, Nemec had a good season in Utica with 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists) and a +13 record in 65 games.
However, he sometimes felt sorry for his homeland.
“It wasn’t easy,” he replied. I learned some things outside of hockey. I discovered life in the United States, a country completely different from Slovakia. I feel better now. I understand the country better. This year I hope that things will be easier for me off the ice.
“I was living without my family and friends and my English wasn’t perfect last year,” he continued. Sometimes I searched for my words. As far as the food goes, it wasn’t too bad. But the language barrier remained the biggest challenge. I left my country for the first time. I was already living on my own, but I still lived a few hours’ drive from the family home.”
A target
The Devils decided not to mess things up with their young defenseman. Last year he gained experience in the American League, but also by representing Slovakia at the Junior and Senior World Championships.
Jean-François Chaumont – Le Journal de Montréal
“I just missed games in the NHL,” he replied with a smile. I hope it comes this season. I had a good season in Utica and played good hockey at the World Juniors. It was a positive season for me.”
Nemec also had to juggle the expectations of such a big election, but also the intransigence of rivals towards him.
“I try not to think about it and don’t want to be distracted by the pressure,” said the man, who is training with Filip Mesar in Slovakia in the summer. But it’s not always easy. I felt it in the American League. I felt like rivals were more interested in beating me since I was young and a big draft pick. I didn’t always find it easy. But that’s part of hockey.”
The 1.85 meter tall, 80 kilogram right-hander now has a specific goal in mind for his second season in North America.
“I think I’m ready to make the jump to the NHL. It is my goal. I will work hard to get to camp.”
In New Jersey, the Devils will have another young gem on the blue line this winter in Luke Hughes, the fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft.