NHL Firsts | THREE THINGS

The 2021-22 season may only be five games old, but already several players on the Devils roster have experienced some career milestones. Whether it's games, goals/points, saves or wins, the early part of the season has been filled with big personal moments.
In today's edition of Three Things presented by Geico, we explore the big milestones of the opening two weeks.

1. Dawson Mercer

Of course, we cannot talk about career first milestones without starting with center Dawson Mercer. The rookie celebrated his 20th birthday Wednesday afternoon, but before leaving his teenage years, he hit several NHL markers.
For starters, Mercer earned a spot on the Devils roster following a strong performance in the team's Prospects Challenge, training camp and preseason games. It all led to his first NHL game, Oct. 15 against Chicago, the season opener for New Jersey. In that same game, he picked up another milestone with his first NHL point (an assist) on an Andreas Johnsson goal.
It would only take one more game for Mercer to collect a game puck commemorating his first NHL goal against Seattle Oct. 19. It was a beautiful play, and a flash of Mercer's offensive flair and finish.

What speaks more to Mercer's ability - and the coaching staff's trust in him - has been his playing time. The team hasn't shielded him from tough situations or opposition. They've had him go head-to-head against the Patrick Kanes and Alex Ovechkins of the world. They've shown no hesitation to roll his line onto the ice in any circumstance and he hasn't looked lost or out of place at all.

2. Nico Daws

To those who watched Mercer during training camp, it wasn't a surprise to see him on the opening night roster. However, the NHL debut a week later for goaltender Nico Daws certainly was.
Daws entered training camp as the likely No. 4 goaltender on the depth chart and being ticketed for the backup role with Utica of the American Hockey League. However, things in this league change quickly.
Injuries to Mackenzie Blackwood (heel) and Jonathan Bernier (lower-body) necessitated Daws' recall to the NHL. He dressed as the team's backup for one game before surprisingly being thrust into his first career start Oct. 23 against Buffalo.
The 20-year-old rookie made his first save (Tage Thompson) early in the game, while also surrendering his first goal in the opening period (Dylan Cozens). That goal, however, would be the only he would allow, making 24 saves in an eventual 2-1 overtime victory for his first career win.

Perhaps more importantly, Daws' start gave us this precious video of his mother watching the game.

3. Mason Geertsen

Although, he is too old at 26 to be considered a rookie, all-purpose-player Mason Geertsen hadn't played an NHL game in his career when he joined the Devils as a waiver claim during the preseason.
Geertsen, 6-foot-4, 227 pounds, has toughness and some bite in games. So, when the Devils hosted the expansion Seattle Kraken, New Jersey wanted to add those elements to its lineup. Enter Geertsen.
The forward/blueliner certainly made an impact, picking up 15 penalty minutes in the contest. And though it wasn't a "rookie" debut, it still was an NHL debut. And after six-plus season in the AHL, a well-deserved appearance of perseverance.