Jay Pandolfo: A True Devil
Jay Pandolfo: A True Devilby Ken Palmer
Jay Pandolfo is the prototypical Devil. Selfless, hardworking and team-oriented, it’s no wonder Pandolfo has been a fan favorite and a model representative of the organization since he first made his Devils debut more than nine years ago. A Hobey Baker finalist after scoring 38 goals in 39 games as a senior at Boston University, Pandolfo joined the Devils in April 1996 and hasn’t taken a second off since. “Jay’s the same every day,” Devils Coach Larry Robinson said. “He’s a hard worker, who shows up every night. He’s on our top penalty-killing group. What you see every game is what you see every practice as well.” Robinson admitted that he’d love to have more players like Pandolfo on his roster. “You definitely would like everybody to have that work ethic that he has, no doubt about it,” he said. Pandolfo was honored by his teammates as the Devils Unsung Hero in 1998-99, when he notched his first career overtime tally among his career-high 14 goals, and again in 2002-03, when he tied two teammates for most points scored (5) in New Jersey’s thrilling Eastern Conference Finals victory over Ottawa.Despite the obvious appreciation from his teammates, Devils center Erik Rasmussen said Pandolfo doesn’t receive anywhere near enough credit league-wide for his dedication and desire. “I think ‘Pando’ is the most underrated player – probably not on our team because we all respect him so much – but he’s one of the most underrated players in the league,” Rasmussen said. “If you ever watch him in a game, he does things consistently that not many guys in the league do.” Rasmussen said that above all else, Pandolfo’s toughness is what makes him the special player that he is. “He’s one guy who truly gives everything to the game,” Rasmussen said. “His body, he’s taken bruises and injuries that I’ve not seen guys play through. He is the epitome of what a Devils’ player should be.” The humble Pandolfo, 30, said it’s just part of his job description. “I just try to play the same way and play hard every night,” he said. “A lot of times I’m playing against the other team’s top line, so I just try to do the best I can. Obviously, it’s nice to chip in with some offense as well.” As dependable as they come, Pandolfo finished last season as one of only three Devils to play in all 82 contests.
This season, he posted an assist in his 500th NHL game on November 1 against Pittsburgh, one game after he opened the scoring in Boston on October 29 to ignite a dramatic Devils victory over the Bruins.While New Jersey sure is glad to have number 20 on board, Pandolfo says he thanks his lucky stars every day he gets to wear the Devils sweater. “It’s been great,” said Pandolfo, New Jersey’s 32nd overall choice in the 1993 Entry Draft. “I’ve been very fortunate to play for an organization like this where every year you get to battle for the ultimate prize. It’s been just unreal to have two Stanley Cups and to be able to be a part of such a first-class organization. I couldn’t ask for more.” While most players would moan and groan about what appears to be a mostly thankless task, Pandolfo fully embraces his role as a true defensive winger. “It’s a good job to have,” he said. “You get plenty of ice time and it’s a challenge every night, especially with the new rules. It’s something to look forward to.”While the gritty left winger has made his mark with his smarts, solid defense and dependable positioning and checking, he entered this season boasting 55 career goals and eight additional post-season tallies. He also began the season with five short-handed tallies on his résumé.
During his career, Pandolfo has come up big in key spots, posting six goals during the 2002-03 playoffs as he helped New Jersey bring home Lord Stanley’s hardware once again. “It’s definitely nice,” he said of putting the puck in the net. “Everyone likes to score goals. It’s obviously nice when you contribute offensively. It makes you feel good and gives you a little confidence.” Pandolfo has been chipping in for the Devils for almost a decade now. He notched his first career goal in a 5-3 win over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on December 28, 1996. “You always remember the first goal you ever scored,” he recalled. “It might not be the biggest, but you always remember it.” He’ll also always remember how he celebrated the Devils latest championship. While the Burlington, MA native lists U2 as his favorite musical group, in 2003 Pandolfo was delighted to make a surprise visit with the Stanley Cup to Aerosmith, who were playing in nearby Andover, MA. Like most Devils, Pandolfo stated that his fondest memories of his time spent in the Garden State have come when he’s been able to skate into the off-season and immediately go get fitted for a Stanley Cup Championship ring. A member of two title-winning Devils squads, Pandolfo is confident that this year’s version has what it takes to bring yet another Cup to New Jersey. “I think we still have the team here to do it,” the 6-1, 190-pounder said. “We have plenty of time to get this thing going the right way and I think we will.”Pandolfo captured another championship last July when he married longtime girlfriend Juliane Oliver. “It’s really not much different,” Pandolfo said of married life. “It’s been great. We’ve been married four months now. She’s a girl from New Jersey so it’s been nice for her too because she’s from around here.” During his free time in the summer, Pandolfo enjoys returning to the Boston area and spending time on Cape Cod. “I really enjoy that,” he smiled. “It’s a lot of fun.” Pandolfo knows that sitting on the beaches of Cape Cod this summer will be even more enjoyable if his club this June is able to add another championship to its trophy case.
Jay Pandolfo is the prototypical Devil. Selfless, hardworking and team-oriented, it’s no wonder Pandolfo has been a fan favorite and a model representative of the organization since he first made his Devils debut more than nine years ago. A Hobey Baker finalist after scoring 38 goals in 39 games as a senior at Boston University, Pandolfo joined the Devils in April 1996 and hasn’t taken a second off since. “Jay’s the same every day,” Devils Coach Larry Robinson said. “He’s a hard worker, who shows up every night. He’s on our top penalty-killing group. What you see every game is what you see every practice as well.” Robinson admitted that he’d love to have more players like Pandolfo on his roster. “You definitely would like everybody to have that work ethic that he has, no doubt about it,” he said. Pandolfo was honored by his teammates as the Devils Unsung Hero in 1998-99, when he notched his first career overtime tally among his career-high 14 goals, and again in 2002-03, when he tied two teammates for most points scored (5) in New Jersey’s thrilling Eastern Conference Finals victory over Ottawa.Despite the obvious appreciation from his teammates, Devils center Erik Rasmussen said Pandolfo doesn’t receive anywhere near enough credit league-wide for his dedication and desire. “I think ‘Pando’ is the most underrated player – probably not on our team because we all respect him so much – but he’s one of the most underrated players in the league,” Rasmussen said. “If you ever watch him in a game, he does things consistently that not many guys in the league do.” Rasmussen said that above all else, Pandolfo’s toughness is what makes him the special player that he is. “He’s one guy who truly gives everything to the game,” Rasmussen said. “His body, he’s taken bruises and injuries that I’ve not seen guys play through. He is the epitome of what a Devils’ player should be.” The humble Pandolfo, 30, said it’s just part of his job description. “I just try to play the same way and play hard every night,” he said. “A lot of times I’m playing against the other team’s top line, so I just try to do the best I can. Obviously, it’s nice to chip in with some offense as well.” As dependable as they come, Pandolfo finished last season as one of only three Devils to play in all 82 contests.
This season, he posted an assist in his 500th NHL game on November 1 against Pittsburgh, one game after he opened the scoring in Boston on October 29 to ignite a dramatic Devils victory over the Bruins.While New Jersey sure is glad to have number 20 on board, Pandolfo says he thanks his lucky stars every day he gets to wear the Devils sweater. “It’s been great,” said Pandolfo, New Jersey’s 32nd overall choice in the 1993 Entry Draft. “I’ve been very fortunate to play for an organization like this where every year you get to battle for the ultimate prize. It’s been just unreal to have two Stanley Cups and to be able to be a part of such a first-class organization. I couldn’t ask for more.” While most players would moan and groan about what appears to be a mostly thankless task, Pandolfo fully embraces his role as a true defensive winger. “It’s a good job to have,” he said. “You get plenty of ice time and it’s a challenge every night, especially with the new rules. It’s something to look forward to.”While the gritty left winger has made his mark with his smarts, solid defense and dependable positioning and checking, he entered this season boasting 55 career goals and eight additional post-season tallies. He also began the season with five short-handed tallies on his résumé.
During his career, Pandolfo has come up big in key spots, posting six goals during the 2002-03 playoffs as he helped New Jersey bring home Lord Stanley’s hardware once again. “It’s definitely nice,” he said of putting the puck in the net. “Everyone likes to score goals. It’s obviously nice when you contribute offensively. It makes you feel good and gives you a little confidence.” Pandolfo has been chipping in for the Devils for almost a decade now. He notched his first career goal in a 5-3 win over the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on December 28, 1996. “You always remember the first goal you ever scored,” he recalled. “It might not be the biggest, but you always remember it.” He’ll also always remember how he celebrated the Devils latest championship. While the Burlington, MA native lists U2 as his favorite musical group, in 2003 Pandolfo was delighted to make a surprise visit with the Stanley Cup to Aerosmith, who were playing in nearby Andover, MA. Like most Devils, Pandolfo stated that his fondest memories of his time spent in the Garden State have come when he’s been able to skate into the off-season and immediately go get fitted for a Stanley Cup Championship ring. A member of two title-winning Devils squads, Pandolfo is confident that this year’s version has what it takes to bring yet another Cup to New Jersey. “I think we still have the team here to do it,” the 6-1, 190-pounder said. “We have plenty of time to get this thing going the right way and I think we will.”Pandolfo captured another championship last July when he married longtime girlfriend Juliane Oliver. “It’s really not much different,” Pandolfo said of married life. “It’s been great. We’ve been married four months now. She’s a girl from New Jersey so it’s been nice for her too because she’s from around here.” During his free time in the summer, Pandolfo enjoys returning to the Boston area and spending time on Cape Cod. “I really enjoy that,” he smiled. “It’s a lot of fun.” Pandolfo knows that sitting on the beaches of Cape Cod this summer will be even more enjoyable if his club this June is able to add another championship to its trophy case.
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