sundstrom Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Just got email from the Devils #PattysLastLap April 8 Devils vs. Islanders. Having trouble viewing this email? PATRIK ELIAS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT Dear Jason, Patrik Elias, two-time Stanley Cup Champion with and franchise goal and point leader of the New Jersey Devils, is announcing his retirement from the National Hockey League today. The Devils will retire Elias' No. 26 jersey in a ceremony next season. His number will join No. 4 Scott Stevens, No. 3 Ken Daneyko, No. 27 Scott Niedermayer and No. 30 Martin Brodeur in the Prudential Center rafters. (Details are to be determined.) Since you are a highly valued Premium Season Ticket Member, we wanted to give you the news first. We also want to invite you to exclusive upcoming opportunities with Patty as part of our Fan Appreciation Week presented by Prudential. Join Us April 4 & April 65-6:30 p.m. both days PHOTO OPPORTUNITY WITH PATTYTake a photo with Patty, exclusively for our most valued Members. You can bring up to eight guests to the photo session. Please note that you can only attend one of the two photo sessions. RSVP for April 4 ORRSVP for April 6 April 4Devils vs. Philadelphia Flyers | 7 p.m. PUCK DROPPatty will drop the ceremonial first puck at the game.Make sure you're there. April 7 12 p.m. OPEN PRACTICEPatty will skate in an open practice with the whole team. Members will be given early entry.RSVP for open practice April 8 Devils vs. New York Islanders | 6 p.m. #PattysLastLapPatty will lead the team out to warmups before the game and take his last lap on the Prudential Center main ice. Make sure you don't miss it. We hope to see you all throughout next week to celebrate Patty's career with the Devils! Please contact your Client Experience Account Executive if you have any questions. We hope to see you all throughout next week to celebrate Patty's career with the Devils! Please contact your Client Experience Account Executive if you have any questions. Patty sits down with Ken Daneyko to talk about his career with the Devils and his decision to retire. WATCH THE VIDEO GET EXTRA TICKETS TO PATTY'S PUCK DROP GAME GET EXTRA TICKETS TO PATTY'S LAST LAP GAME TICKETS | DEVILS FULL SCHEDULE You cannot reply to this emailPrudential Center | 25 Lafayette Street | Newark, NJ 07102Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe newjerseydevils.com | Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostondevil11 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Knew it was coming back can't help to get a little teary eyed. Truly the end of the era. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadDog2020 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 I wanna hear it loud and proud from everyone: THANK YOU PATTY!!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLinfante Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 I'm glad that disaster against Dallas on Sunday wasn't my last game for the year. I'm sure the rock will look more like opening night than fan appreciation day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicomo Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 My favorite foward of all-time. Jealous of you guys that are going to get to go to his jersey night. Good luck to Patty whatever he does next. Hopefully it will be the Devils. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Rockies 1976 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 It will really hit me when he skates his last lap...though I strongly suspected he was never coming back, now we know for absolute certain that he's done. The last on-ice link to one killer Devils era. You will be missed Patty. Best of luck to you in whatever you choose to do next. There's a nice space on my wall at home that is waiting for you to join the rest. A very welcome addition for sure. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDfan1711 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Had a feeling it was coming. All that you can say is he is and was a true model Devil. Great guy, great player. That last lap next Saturday will be special. This indeed is the last link to a great Devils era. Hopefully we are now in the beginning of starting and building a new great era. Having him retire and celebrating his career at the end of this season is a great way to wind down this year since it hasn't been all that great. As sad as it can be to see where we are now and look back at those years that sometimes seem like they were yesterday but in actuality were quite long ago (can't believe the 2000 Cup was 17 years ago and Elias was only 24 years old), I'm trying to be OK with closing that chapter, still forever holding onto the memories, and looking forward to the future and more good memories to come. Thank you for everything Patty. Congratulatons on a great career. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Rockies 1976 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 And how cool is it that, where once upon a time the only Devils banner was "1987-88 Patrick Division Playoff Champions", there's now several others (including the 3 Cup Champion banners of course), and soon to be FIVE retired numbers...and even cooler, not one of them feels cheap...two Hall of Famers in the Scotts, with a third soon to follow in Marty, and possibly a 4th in Elias. Great great times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadDog2020 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Got my tickets for April 8. Glad I have reasons to look forward to that game besides it being the almost end of this miserable season. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDfan1711 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Elias was just on with Boomer and Carton. Good interview. He's going to play in their charity hockey game in a few weeks too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevsMan84 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 My all time favorite Devils player. I will be at the game on Tuesday, but doubtful for next Saturday (but will watch the game from home). I got a replica jersey of his back in 2000 right before the playoffs started and was my favorite replica that I ever wore. Been fortunate enough to see his entire career and was at the game where he broke MacLean's points record in the same game as Marty's 552 game in March of 2009. I will definitely be at his retirement night game next season no if's, and's or butt's. Here are some of my Elias game used/worn collection that I have collected over the years: Elias 1995-96 Albany River Rats game worn jersey. First gamer Patrik wore as a professional hockey player in North America. Looks like the A was added after he wore it as he was not an alternate that year for the Rats. I believe I have a photomatch for this as well from a game from January of 96. Patrik Elias 2001-02 white set 2 game worn. Also have this photomatched. Patrik Elias 2013-14 White set 1. Also have this photomatched. He also wore this in the ceremonial puck drop at the first ever game (preseason) in Brooklyn against the Islanders at Barclays in September 2013. Elias Game worn gloves. Used mostly during 2013-14 season and photomatched. Also have a game used autographed stick from Elias, but do not have a pic handy. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post '7' Posted March 31, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted March 31, 2017 Elias was the type of player you dream about having on your franchise. Home grown, a fierce competitor that always strove to improve, a clutch playoff performer, responsible defensively. He never called attention to himself, never a peep about him off the ice. In this age of social media we see pro athletes indiscretions pasted everywhere...all the time. The list of guys who you can point to and tell your kids "be like them, play like that...do that in that situation" is growing smaller and smaller. Elias is one of those guys who is still a role model. It was a great privilege watching him play. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 This might be my favorite. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven M. Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 I am going to go with one more recent, the first goal of our 2011-12 run... the last playoff win I was in attendance for. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iXuxoNecYo Patrik will always be my favorite player. I'm going to cry when he drops the puck on the 4th and then cry again when he skates that last lap on the 8th... then cry some more when his number is retired next year. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicomo Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 21 minutes ago, Martyisth3b3st said: 1000 points and 2 Stanley cups. That should be a HOFer, yea? I think so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoArmySports Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 (edited) http://oi41.tinypic.com/slgxt1.jpg The ignoring of Sykora will never get old. Edited March 31, 2017 by GoArmySports 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triumph Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 People talk about how this franchise has hit such rough times and they go back and forth about Parise leaving and Kovalchuk leaving and this guy not living up to expectations and that guy not, but I almost never hear anyone mention the simple fact that Patrik Elias stopped being a 1st line forward. He was a first-line forward for almost 15 years, and we usually took him for granted. He was never the fastest player and he probably didn't have the best shot on the team either, but he's probably the smartest player I've ever seen. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDfan1711 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 (edited) 22 minutes ago, GoArmySports said: http://oi41.tinypic.com/slgxt1.jpg The ignoring of Sykora will never get old. Haha, never seen that before. Did they have some kind of falling out or something? Sykora was always my favorite player. Nevermind, looks like later on in the clip he was joking about it, I assume. Guess he just didn't see him when he turned around so quickly. Pretty hilarious. Edited March 31, 2017 by NJDfan1711 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antiquated Colorado Rockie Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 A sad day we knew was coming. I don't even think I am biased in saying he is the most underrated player in the last 20 years. Such a great player and example, the best forward we have ever had. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicomo Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 I had a wicked deke with Elias on one of the old EA NHL games back in the day. Used to piss off my friend something fierce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDfan1711 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 4 minutes ago, Triumph said: People talk about how this franchise has hit such rough times and they go back and forth about Parise leaving and Kovalchuk leaving and this guy not living up to expectations and that guy not, but I almost never hear anyone mention the simple fact that Patrik Elias stopped being a 1st line forward. He was a first-line forward for almost 15 years, and we usually took him for granted. He was never the fastest player and he probably didn't have the best shot on the team either, but he's probably the smartest player I've ever seen. Amen to that. I've always appreciated his hockey smarts. He was a very patient player with the puck. Good penalty killer too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevsMan84 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 3 minutes ago, NJDfan1711 said: Haha, never seen that before. Did they have some kind of falling out or something? Sykora was always my favorite player. I have heard rumors for a good 15 years now that Elias and Sykora were not nearly as close as fans and others made them out to be. In fact, most of those rumors have pointed that Arnott and Elias were closer friends and that neither cared much for Sykora after the 2000 playoffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmann422 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Thank you for everything Patty. I'm hoping Gamecenter will cover the pre-game next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJDfan1711 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 Just now, DevsMan84 said: I have heard rumors for a good 15 years now that Elias and Sykora were not nearly as close as fans and others made them out to be. In fact, most of those rumors have pointed that Arnott and Elias were closer friends and that neither cared much for Sykora after the 2000 playoffs. Gotcha. I could see that to a degree, though it's probably easier to think that being that Sykora was the one who departed from the team first, leaving a connection between Elias/Arnott lasting a little longer. I have to think, despite the fact that we all know how much Lou loved re-treads, that Sykora came back for a 2nd stint in part because of Elias. I have to imagine he probably vouched for him and wanted his former linemate/countryman back, but I could be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Rockies 1976 Posted March 31, 2017 Share Posted March 31, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, '7' said: Elias was the type of player you dream about having on your franchise. Home grown, a fierce competitor that always strove to improve, a clutch playoff performer, responsible defensively. He never called attention to himself, never a peep about him off the ice. In this age of social media we see pro athletes indiscretions pasted everywhere...all the time. The list of guys who you can point to and tell your kids "be like them, play like that...do that in that situation" is growing smaller and smaller. Elias is one of those guys who is still a role model. It was a great privilege watching him play. Well said. Some people would consider a player like that "boring", in some sad way. For me, what's amazing about Elias' career is that it wasn't all smooth sailing here, but he found ways to fight through. And like it's been noted multiple times, it's not like this franchise always did right by him, in terms of supplying him complementary talent...he admitted in a NYT article (today's) that he sometimes wondered about playing for other teams (no real surprise)...can't say that I blame him. That first year-and-a-half or so after he signed his big deal (after very nearly signing with the Rangers), he was clearly having a tough time...the 4-goals-in-42 games slump, the constant looking up at the rafters after yet another scoring opportunity gone for naught...he scored just 24 goals in his first 100 games (regular season and playoffs combined) after signing that 7-year contract, and though his overall numbers didn't seem to be that bad in that time frame, something just didn't seem right with him. From a purely forensic standpoint, one could say he had incredibly rotten puck luck those two seasons (7.9 and 7.6 shooting%s, well below his 12.4% career number). Well, as we saw, he fought through it (a couple of years like that might have broken others), and though he never as dynamic as he had been earlier in his career, and was continually asked to do a lot as he aged, he found a way to be consistent well into his late 30s. Always thought it was cool that, in 2010-11, he said something along the lines of "Because things aren't going well here doesn't mean you look to bail." I'm not sure when it happened exactly, but where at one point he wasn't sure about being a Devil forever, something seemed to have changed, and he decided he was all in, no matter what. I like that Elias really seems to look back on his entire tenure here, good and bad, with no regrets. Edited March 31, 2017 by Colorado Rockies 1976 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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