Year One for Vanecek | FEATURE

VI-tek. VI-tek. VI-tek.

Devils fans chanted goaltender Vitek Vanecek's name all season long in Prudential Center for his incredible saves, infectious attitude, and, of course, his love for hibachi. His numbers were even stronger than the cheers for 'V.'

Vanecek played 52 games, including 48 starts, and finished the season with a 2.45 goals against average and a .911 save percentage. He had three shutouts over his 33-11-4 record, and Vanecek was the first goaltender since Martin Brodeur to pick up over 30 wins in a single season for the Devils. Not a bad first season with New Jersey.

Let's take a look back at Vanecek's season with the Devils and the impact he had on and off the ice.

The Bullet Points:

Last Line of Defense

The Devils went into the 2022 off-season knowing that goaltending was an area they needed to address after using a franchise record seven goaltenders during the 2021-22 season. As a result, Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald got to work and before the second day of the 2022 Draft kicked off, he traded with the Washington Capitals for Vitek Vanecek.

Through two season with the Capitals, Vanecek played 79 games, starting 75 of them, and had a 41-22-10 record. However, he never had the main goaltender role with Washington. Vanecek knew the opportunity he had with the Devils and he took it.

With Mackenzie Blackwood out part of the season due to injury, Vanecek carried the majority of the workload for the Devils. He came up with big saves, played with confidence, and Vanecek's teammates felt secure with him in net. Vanecek helped the Devils during their 13-game win streak throughout the first few months of the season and then went on to win 10 straight games to end 2022 and start 2023.

In his exit interview with the media, Vanecek shared how the team came together to qualify for the post-season and how he felt he did looking back on the year.

"This season was great," shared Vanecek. "I'm really happy with what I did. My best season that I've had. The playoffs was tough, but it's what it is. We have to move on and get better."

"It was a tough start in the season, we lost two games," Vanecek continued. "We come back and it was really big for us. The team was working really hard, we have good players, we were scoring goals, defense was really good, and that showed up in the season. That's why we made the playoffs and then played really good in the season."

Vanecek signed a three-year contract last summer with the Devils so he's locked in for the upcoming season and will look to build off of a strong first year with New Jersey.

Fan Favorite

There were plenty of times throughout the season where Vanecek showed his bright personality that quickly charmed all Devils fans. Early in the 2022-23 season after a huge win, Vanecek shared how he appreciated the Devils fans support and the crowd erupted:

Not long after, Vanecek shared his post-game meal plans which went viral after the Devils goaltender came up big with 25 saves on 26 shots in New Jersey's 2-1 overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Czech goaltender shared more about himself off-the-ice in an Video: Vitek Vanecek | END-OF-SEASON RAW including his smooth skills on the dance floor.

Nod to the Past

Although Vanecek was still in his first season with the Devils, he understood the significance of the franchise's rich goaltender history. In February, he showed support to those who came before him through a new mask.

With his new headwear Vanecek sported a design that brought in elements of Martin Brodeur and Glenn 'Chico' Resch's masks when they played for the organization. Both remain a part of the Devils as Brodeur is the Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and Resch is a Color Analyst for the Devils Hockey Network.

"We asked and they (Brodeur and Resch) said it's a good idea and that I can wear it," Vanecek shared to Amanda Stein. "I'm really happy they did that, I think it's really nice to be able to pay homage. I'm really happy about it."

Read the Video: Vitek Vanecek | END-OF-SEASON RAW.

Remember This?

The Devils were on their West Coast road trip looking for their fourth win and Vanecek delivered in the shootout.