New Jersey Devils forward Paul Cotter has been chasing a dream for years.
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A dream that became within reach when the Vegas Golden Knights drafted him 115th overall in the 2018 NHL Draft.
Only four games in the first 173 games of Cotter’s career presented him with an opportunity to make his dream of taking a face-off against Sidney Crosby a reality.
After the team’s morning skate, The Hockey News sat with the 25-year-old, who was all smiles, reminiscing about the moment he almost saw his dream realized.
“It happened once (in Vegas),” Cotter said. “It was me, Jack Eichel, and Jonathan Marchessault on a line. Eichel was taking the draw (against Crosby), and I jumped early.”
For clarification purposes, The Hockey News asked if he jumped early on purpose.
“Yeah, on purpose,” he said with a laugh. “Then (Marchessault) went in to take it and goes (to me), ‘Hey, back up.’ I am like, well, that defeated the whole purpose of me jumping early.”
For most of Cotter’s life, he was a center, a position he still prefers.
“Vegas thought I was better suited for the wing,” he said. “I don’t know why. Probably because we had so many centermen, so, in order to fit me in, I kind of had to change a little bit, which obviously happens.”
As a young center, Cotter studied Crosby’s technique and methods in the face-off circle. Those years of studying made the Canton, Michigan native confident he would leave the face-off circle victorious over his idol.
“And if I don’t win the draw, then, (well), I have never thought about that,” he said.
At the end of the Devils morning skate, Cotter was working in the face-off circle against Dawson Mercer, who will be his linemate to start Saturday night’s game.
Through 35 games, Cotter has taken 33 face-offs with New Jersey and has a face-off win percentage of 54.5%. During the team’s most recent road trip, he was one-for-one against the Columbus Blue Jackets and one-for-one against the St. Louis Blues in the dots.
If Erik Haula, who will center Cotter’s line, gets kicked out of the circle, could tonight be the night Cotter can finally cross one very important item off his bucket list?
One thing is certain: it is undoubtedly obtainable and a fun little story to keep our eyes on as the Devils look to earn two points in front of their home crowd.
Puck drop between the Devils and Penguins will be at 7:08 P.M. Fans can watch on MSGSN or listen on the Devils Hockey Network.
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