In Conversation with Bobby Holik | 40 YEARS WITH STAN

If ever there was a vote for "The All-Time Most Interesting Devil" two-time Stanley Cup-winner Bobby Holik would be my choice.
Literate, insightful, candid, and opinionated, the tall Czech would as soon discuss Einstein's theory of relativity with you as easily as why Jacques Lemaire is his all-time favorite coach.
In an exclusive interview with me, Bobby touched on a variety of topics; each of which is labeled as follows:

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THE LESSON HE LEARNED:

"It wasn't that I never heard the expression before but, somehow, that dreadful third period and wonderful overtime taught me a lesson that I already knew -- and that is, don't ever quit. It's not over 'til it's over. I'll never forget that. But this may be the most interesting part; to this day I still feel as if I let the team down in that third period!"

A HAPPIER GAME BOBBY NEVER WILL FORGET:

"I'll give you the date: June 8, 2000, and it was Game Five of the Cup Final against the Dallas Stars. I had an amazing game defensively and offensively. One of my assignments was to check a pair of their stars, Mike Modano and Joe Nieuwendyck. But, also, I was asked to create and have a lot of scoring opportunities. The total package wound up with me having one of the best games of my career.
"But that's not how my life or career works; it has to be harder than that. So we were tied after regulation and, a few minutes into overtime, I got a pass from Claude Lemieux in the neutral zone and took the puck wide. Then I beat their D and cut toward the net pushing the puck inside and it hit a Dallas player's skate and very slowly slid toward the net.
"As it happened, their goalie, Ed Belfour, was not covering the net because my momentum created a lot of chaos. Meanwhile, the puck kept sliding and hit the inside of the post but didn't go in. A Stars' defenseman picked it up and the game continued. Of course, I wound up being on the ice when Modano scored the game-winner with a flipper from the blue line. That one was impossible to forget."

THEN CAME THE GOOD NEWS:

"But after the game, there was Larry Robinson helping me get over it and also to prepare for Game Six in Dallas. The next day, as well, Robinson was supporting me for that fateful Game Six. And Devils fans all know how pretty good that went. We won our second Stanley Cup."

WHY HOLIK PICKS JACQUES LEMAIRE AS HIS FAVORITE COACH:

"Jacques extremely simplified the game for us so we became much more efficient. Efficiency leads to more energy saved and you can use that energy on the attack. Lemaire never underestimated how the little things could make a big difference. Most coaches say that, but don't follow up. I'm talking about things like stick position, body position, conditioning, and the importance of practice, among other things.
"But overall it was his approach to hockey as a game and that we should not complicate it. He was consistent and offered amazing wisdom. For example, when contracts, money, and individual players' desires came up -- like ice time and stuff like that -- he'd say 'Remember, when a team is successful, all players are successful. And when a team does not do well, nobody cares even about the best players.'"

HOW NEW JERSEY BEAT FAVORED DETROIT IN THE 1995 CUP FINAL:

"What the media and the fans believed was our 'secret,' really was no secret. We were the better team. We knew we would win only if we played as the ultimate team. Everyone sacrificed everything for the sake of the team. Whereas, on the other hand, the Red Wings did not. But give Detroit credit; the Red Wings learned their lesson and became tremendously successful after we beat them in '95."

BEING INVOLVED IN THE DEVILS-RANGERS BATTLE OF THE HUDSON:

"It was awesome having our biggest rival in such close proximity. That rivalry with the Rangers, somehow, lasted for me for over ten years. The heartbreak in losing to them in 1994 actually led to an exciting new direction with our organization. This was especially true since now Jacques was with us and we were trying to measure up to the elite teams in the league.
"In '94, we came, oh, so close to beating New York, but I actually believe that the final result was all for the better. That is, we learned how much better we needed to be in terms of consistency. The series loss actually helped us grow as a team for years to come.
"No question the Rangers were the better team although I still find that hard to admit. But we got out of it what we needed to become multiple champions. So, in retrospect, the seventh game loss gave us sad times but, we have to be realistic about those things. After all, that's hockey."

WHAT HE LIKED MOST ABOUT BEING A DEVIL:

"There were many enjoyable aspects about playing in New Jersey. I liked the fact that we were in a small market but we were big-time champions. That suited me fine as well as the fact that my family could have privacy outside the rink. I truly valued my time with my family as I still do now!"

REGARDING HIS TEAMMATES, HALL OF FAMERS AND THE OTHERS:

"It meant something to me being a teammate with legends of the game. Scotty Stevens, Marty Brodeur, Scotty Niedermayer, and Claude Lemieux come to mind. And, by the way, Claude belongs in the Hall of Fame. Plus, we had great team guys like Randy McKay, Kenny Daneyko, Bruce Driver, Tommy Albelin. I could go on and on with guys like Patty Elias, Scotty Gomez, and the best player of them all, Sergei Brylin."

LOU LAMORIELLO:

"I absolutely loved Lou and his way of doing things. I cannot say enough great things about him. The Devils organization was perfect for me and Lou was the perfect boss for me. I never had a problem with how "conforming" we had to be because the team always comes first. Do your own things on your own time. Under Lou we won because of discipline, focus, sacrifice, and putting our best foot forward.
"I always lived my life that way, so coming to New Jersey was like coming to my home away from home. I grew up like that!"