Fighting in the playoffs this year, the New Jersey Devils lifted the NHL’s Stanley Cup 20 years ago. At that time, Ari Ahonen was promoted from the AHL to the training strength of the NHL club.
The last championship of the New Jersey Devils, who spoiled hockey in the NHL in the playoffs this spring, was 20 years ago, in the spring of 2003.
At that time, the Devils’ organization included a Finnish goalkeeper Ari Ahonen, who played in the club’s then AHL team Albany River Rats. He got to witness the championship buzz in New Jersey’s home hall after the team defeated the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the seventh game 3–0.
– It was nice to get on the ice and watch after the seventh game, when the boys lifted the Cup, even though I had no part or lot in it. I got to see up close what it meant to those guys, Ahonen recalled at ‘s NHL night last weekend.
After the AHL season ended in April 2003, Ahonen was promoted to the training strength of the NHL team together with four field players.
– Basically, we considered ourselves ready if someone gets injured on the NHL side, and let’s get into the lineup that plays it. We traveled to the playoffs with the team. Basically, we had the same program as the team. We were part of the team apart from the team, Ahonen said.
The game in New Jersey in the early 2000s was not as flashy and fast-paced as it is today. Victories were sought with trap hockey and minimizing the opponent’s goal posts, and the team’s players did not bother to top the scoreboard.
– After all, it was a very well-rounded team, like everyone else Lou Lamoriello’s teams: very disciplined on and off the ice. There were even detailed rules for players and officials.
– The entertainment value was quite different from today. The top pack pairs each had one more mobile and one more physical defender. In attack, almost every field scored the same amount of points, successes came on a wide front.
In the 2002–2003 season, the Devils’ best scorer in the regular season was Patrick Eliaswhich was found by Peter Forsberg won from 67th place in the regular season points exchange with 28+29.
Devils icon Brodeur
Ahos had nothing to do with the Devils’ goal, because the goalkeeper legend was playing between the posts Martin Brodeurwho was also winning the Devils’ previous Stanley Cups in 1995 and 2000.
According to Ahonen, Brodeur was one of the best goalkeepers of all time.
– He had great stick handling skills. The whole Devils went by how Martin played the puck with the stick. The tackle averages were less than 20 per game. It was largely based on the fact that when teams dumped the puck deep, Brodeur stopped them and opened up for pucks, Ahonen recalled.
Brodeur’s counterattacks led to rule reforms that limited the movement of goalkeepers in corners.
In this year’s playoffs, the New Jersey Devils are in a tight spot. Carolina leads the second round match series 3–1. With four wins, you advance to the next round.
The series of matches continues early Friday, Finnish time, when Carolina has a chance to advance to the next round.
Does Ahonen’s heart still beat for the Devils?
– I hope that the Stanley Cup will come to the Finns. So few people get to play it, it would be nice to have it in Finland.