FEATURE: Wood Getting Family Time in During the Pause

For Devils forward Miles Wood, family is very important.

His father Randy played 741 games in the National Hockey League, scoring 175 goals and adding 159 assists for the Islanders, Sabres, Maple Leafs and Stars. And Randy helped shape his son's hockey career.

"I think my whole game, he kind of built me up from scratch and we talk about it to this day," said Wood, speaking on a Zoom call and fielding questions from Devils Black and Red Season Ticket Members earlier this week.

"I certainly wouldn't be where I am without him. I think there are certain things [he helps with] like not trying to force plays, just read the play and react based on that."

The two are in constant contact.

"I talk to him all the time, especially if we have a game," said Wood. "I'd probably talk to him once after the pregame skate and once before the game, and then once after the game. We're in constant contact throughout the season."

But it's not just constant contact with Randy.

"It's my mom too," he said. "I can throw her in there too. She's been a great supporter of me and my career so far."

Their biggest value to Miles is that they can be his biggest critic when he needs it most.

"You know, to be honest, they're very hard on me, which I like," said Wood. "I'm very black and white when it comes to my game. I can't stand it when my parents try to make me feel good when I know I didn't play well. So I think they know that at this point in my career. My parents are very strict about my game and what I can do to improve and stuff like that. So it's nice to have that."

Wood is getting extra family time these days.

He's back home in Massachusetts, staying with his parents during the season's pause brought along by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This pandemic hits particularly close to home for the Wood family. His mother is an essential worker on the front lines helping to combat the disease.

"My mom, she actually works in the ER at a hospital near my hometown," he said. "There are some great days and there are some bad days."

While home, Wood is in the same boat as other professional athletes - trying to stay in playing shape for when the season begins again, whenever that may be.

"It's certainly been hard with all the gyms being shut down right now," said Wood.

"I'm staying at my parents' right now and they have a few things. I wouldn't call it necessarily a gym, but they just have a bench, a few barbells, and a few bands and a bike. So at this point, it's just trying to see if you can get clever with some workout ideas and then go from there."

But the most important thing right now is for Wood and the rest of the nation to remain smart until we get through this unprecedented time.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this," Wood said. "Hopefully, we can move past it and get back to normal life. Let's hope sooner rather than later."