Hometown: Brunswick, Ohio
Born: Jan. 13, 1980
Height/Weight: 6-5/235 lbs.
Position: Center/Left Wing
Drafted:
• 9th overall by the New York Islanders in 1998 (remained unsigned)
• 76th overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2000
Notes:
• 2002-03 Stanley Cup Champion with the New Jersey Devils
• Only player in NHL history whose first playoff goal was the Stanley Cup clincher
• Since 2000, has played for the New Jersey Devils, Phoenix Coyotes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild
“...and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
– Galatians 2:20
Growing up in the suburbs of Cleveland, most of my childhood revolved around playing and watching sports. I started playing hockey when I was six years old, and even in grade school I dreamed about playing in the NHL.
Most of my games were on Sunday mornings, so church kind of fell by the wayside for our family. We would go when we could, but that devolved into only attending on Christmas and Easter and sparingly in between. Like a lot of people, I grew up thinking I just had to be a “good person” to get into heaven, and in my mind that worked, because I was a fairly good kid who never got into much trouble.
After my high school hockey career, I was drafted by the New York Islanders in 1998. I didn’t sign with them, however, and went on to play in the Ontario Hockey League for a couple years. While there, I met my wife, Christi. There was something different about her. She challenged me with faith matters like I’d never been challenged before. Unsure of my future in hockey, Christi helped me begin to develop a relationship with God at the perfect time in my life. The more I learned from reading the Bible, the more peace I had knowing that He was in control.
One year after meeting her, I gave my life to the Lord. Following that decision, the desires in my life changed. The Lord opened my heart in so many ways to serve people and share Christ’s love with them.
I still hadn’t signed with the Islanders, so I was available to be drafted again a couple years later, and the New Jersey Devils selected me 76th overall in the 2000 NHL Draft.
After a couple years in the minors, however, I was getting frustrated having not yet made it to the NHL. I re-member training so hard the summer before the 2002-03 season and then not seeing any action in a preseason game. More doubt crept into my mind as to whether I should consider hanging it up. I spent a lot of time praying about it and remember thinking, “Let’s just play this season for God, and don’t worry about anything else.”
I played so free in the minors with that renewed mindset and eventually got my chance with the Devils. I played very well for them in the regular season, but, when the playoffs arrived, I didn’t make the roster, leaving me with that all-too-familiar feeling of disappointment. My wife encouraged me to stick with it and truly trust God. The Devils kept winning, making it to the Stanley Cup Finals, and just before Game 1 they told me I’d be on the Finals roster. I was ecstatic! I got a chance to get in and contribute, including netting the Cup-clinching goal in Game 7.
It was amazing to hold the Stanley Cup as a rookie, but it gave me this false expectation of getting back often and doing it again. Unfortunately, I haven’t been back since.
For a while, I felt like I had to hide my faith because I didn’t know how it would be accepted in the hockey community. Sometimes athletes develop this false idea that Christianity will be perceived as a weakness, but, once I learned more about Jesus’ life on earth, I realized there was nothing weak about Him. He was gritty, had character, and paid the ultimate sacrifice for us all. I wanted to be just like Him, and that would make me the ultimate competitor and teammate. Over time, I’ve become more grounded in my faith and now I stand stronger.
I know God has a purpose for me. If He didn’t, I wouldn’t be playing in the NHL. My outlook and mindset has changed so much since the days when I was letting my success on the ice define me.
I want my faith to shine. I want to be faithful to the Lord, my wife and family, and my teammates. In each case, as long as I do my job and don’t try to do anything extra for my own satisfaction or glory, I know I’m living the life Christ has called me to and ultimately providing the best example of His love and sacrifice.
Originally Published: March 2014
Photos courtesy of Getty Images/Bruce Kluckhohn