__Last season, Vitek Vanecek took the reins as an NHL starting goaltender for the first time in his career. He played 52 games in the regular season, starting 48 of them. It was a big change but one that taught him plenty, especially with his mindset.“
Trying to help the guys winning the games, like every single game and just be calm and not panicking,” Vanecek shared. “See the guys like I can help them in the net and then I know they can help me.”
Although he’s expected to be the Devils starting goaltender, Vanecek feels he needs to continue to prove himself and earn that spot.
“You never know if you will be the number one or not,” Vanecek explained. “You have to grind in the camp and then you’re going to see exhibition games and then you’re going to see what’s going to happen.”
Akira Schmid made a strong case to be the other goaltender in New Jersey last season and the relationship Vanecek and Schmid have is growing.”(Schmid’s) a great guy,” Vanecek shared.
“He’s a little bit quiet but he’s talking a little bit more. He’s a great guy, I can’t complain about anything.”When asked about his relationship with Vanecek, Schmid explained why he’s less quiet this year.
“In the morning (Vanecek’s) the first guy just starts talking to me, and he kind of doesn’t stop,” Schmid joked. “It’s great, he’s a fun guy and I opened up a little more to him this year, (I’m) just a little more comfortable around the guys. Trying to be more open too.
He’s been great, all last year too.”When it comes to a battle for playing time between this goaltender duo, both are eager for the opportunity to get in net. It may be a competition, but a friendly one, that will allow each to grow while supporting the other’s success.“
We have to push each other so to have some friendly competition,” Schmid explained. “Obviously we both want to play but the more we push each other in practice and games the better the outcome is for the both of us.”
Schmid spent some of the off-season on Long Island before heading home to Switzerland to continue his preparations for the 2023-24 campaign. He focused on getting stronger to play a full season and gained some weight.
His increased time in the NHL last year helped him learn what he needed to achieve for this season.
“Just the whole experience, getting to feel what it’s like to play in the playoffs,” Schmid shared. “Getting to play a couple more NHL games in the regular season that helps a lot. Like last year, you know what to expect now…over the summer too, with the workouts, how you got to feel to start camp and how you have to feel on the ice too.”
**The Versatile Forward**
__When it comes to Dawson Mercer, the Devils have and will continue to rely on his versatility. In his first year with New Jersey, he played the majority of the year at center. Last season, he was often on the wing. For Mercer, it doesn’t matter where he goes, he’s ready to play.
“I’ve played my full life everything, switching back and forth,” Mercer explained. “My first season, Hughes was injured there for a lot (of games) so I moved (to center). From looking back last year I pretty much was completely wing and I’m comfortable with that.
I like supporting guys, playing with them, and when I get the puck on my stick I want to try to put it in the net as quickly as I can or make a smart play. I just like having that aspect of my game so I can play wherever they want to put me.
”In addition to his comfort playing both positions, the Devils systems allow Mercer to move from center to wing easily.
“We’re not really designated when we come back from the d-zone,” Mercer shared. “We’re more 1, 2, 3. Pretty much, you’ve got to be able to play them all, so that’s how our system is and I think building over these last two years has just really grown and you understand it better and better every time and I’m comfortable right now wherever.” __
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Excerpts:
**The Devils Netminders**
__Last season, Vitek Vanecek took the reins as an NHL starting goaltender for the first time in his career. He played 52 games in the regular season, starting 48 of them. It was a big change but one that taught him plenty, especially with his mindset.“
Trying to help the guys winning the games, like every single game and just be calm and not panicking,” Vanecek shared. “See the guys like I can help them in the net and then I know they can help me.”
Although he’s expected to be the Devils starting goaltender, Vanecek feels he needs to continue to prove himself and earn that spot.
“You never know if you will be the number one or not,” Vanecek explained. “You have to grind in the camp and then you’re going to see exhibition games and then you’re going to see what’s going to happen.”
Akira Schmid made a strong case to be the other goaltender in New Jersey last season and the relationship Vanecek and Schmid have is growing.”(Schmid’s) a great guy,” Vanecek shared.
“He’s a little bit quiet but he’s talking a little bit more. He’s a great guy, I can’t complain about anything.”When asked about his relationship with Vanecek, Schmid explained why he’s less quiet this year.
“In the morning (Vanecek’s) the first guy just starts talking to me, and he kind of doesn’t stop,” Schmid joked. “It’s great, he’s a fun guy and I opened up a little more to him this year, (I’m) just a little more comfortable around the guys. Trying to be more open too.
He’s been great, all last year too.”When it comes to a battle for playing time between this goaltender duo, both are eager for the opportunity to get in net. It may be a competition, but a friendly one, that will allow each to grow while supporting the other’s success.“
We have to push each other so to have some friendly competition,” Schmid explained. “Obviously we both want to play but the more we push each other in practice and games the better the outcome is for the both of us.”
Schmid spent some of the off-season on Long Island before heading home to Switzerland to continue his preparations for the 2023-24 campaign. He focused on getting stronger to play a full season and gained some weight.
His increased time in the NHL last year helped him learn what he needed to achieve for this season.
“Just the whole experience, getting to feel what it’s like to play in the playoffs,” Schmid shared. “Getting to play a couple more NHL games in the regular season that helps a lot. Like last year, you know what to expect now…over the summer too, with the workouts, how you got to feel to start camp and how you have to feel on the ice too.”
**The Versatile Forward**
__When it comes to Dawson Mercer, the Devils have and will continue to rely on his versatility. In his first year with New Jersey, he played the majority of the year at center. Last season, he was often on the wing. For Mercer, it doesn’t matter where he goes, he’s ready to play.
“I’ve played my full life everything, switching back and forth,” Mercer explained. “My first season, Hughes was injured there for a lot (of games) so I moved (to center). From looking back last year I pretty much was completely wing and I’m comfortable with that.
I like supporting guys, playing with them, and when I get the puck on my stick I want to try to put it in the net as quickly as I can or make a smart play. I just like having that aspect of my game so I can play wherever they want to put me.
”In addition to his comfort playing both positions, the Devils systems allow Mercer to move from center to wing easily.
“We’re not really designated when we come back from the d-zone,” Mercer shared. “We’re more 1, 2, 3. Pretty much, you’ve got to be able to play them all, so that’s how our system is and I think building over these last two years has just really grown and you understand it better and better every time and I’m comfortable right now wherever.” __