New Jersey's last line of defense: after 1,500-plus games, the Devils' captain shows no signs of slowing down as he aims to win a third Cup - Interview: Scott Stevens

Hockey Digest, Feb, 2003 by Keith Loria

ASK ANYONE IN THE GAME TO name the league's top five defenders at any point over the past two decades and Scott Stevens' name would be on every list.

But while there's no denying that Stevens has built a Hall of Fame resume--he'll pass the 900-point mark sometime this season and owns an astonishing career plus/minus ratio of plus-372 through 2001-02--he has never won the Norris Trophy.

Maybe this is the season Stevens will take home the prize. At the age of 38 and in his 21st NHL season, Stevens shows no signs of slowing down as he looks to steer the defensive-minded Devils to a third Stanley Cup.

Stevens career began in Washington in 1982, where he made the team as an 18-year-old rookie after being selected in the first round by the Capitals. Stevens spent his first eight seasons with Washington and topped 50 points five times in that span.

After a brief one-year stay in St. Louis, Stevens found his now-permanent home in New Jersey with the Devils.

As captain of the Devils, Stevens helped the team capture their first Stanley Cup in 1995 and added his inscription a second time in 2000, when he was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason MVP.

"I was honored to be the MVP, but the Cup is really what counted," Stevens says. "You don't dream of winning the MVP, you dream of winning the Cup, but to be a big part of the team that won is pretty special."

Stevens drew a lot of attention in the 2000 playoffs when he landed one of his trademark hits in the conference finals on Eric Lindros, who was just four periods back into his comeback from his third concussion of the season. Lindros was carrying the puck across the Devils' blue line when Stevens pounded him with his shoulder. Lindros, who was leaning down at the time, absorbed the hit with his jaw, which resulted in career concussion No. 6.

"It's a game and a physical game, but that's not the way you want to see that happen," Stevens says. "I still think about it. It was an emotional, tough series in a lot of respects. I had some sleepless nights. But I know Eric knows how I play and that's what I look at."

Hard, but clean is how Stevens plays, and when he decides to call it a career, there should be little doubt that the Hall will be waiting for this tough defender. We sat down with Stevens recently to talk with him about his truly memorable career.

HD: The team has started strong, tell me what you expect out of the Devils this season.

KS: It's still early, but we're playing really well defensively and that's the way we're going to win this year. We need to play stingy, not give up a lot of goals, and play a good team effort on defense with everyone helping out. We're not really scoring a lot right now but we're going to be a tight defensive team that is hopefully hard to score against.

HD: Do you have expectations for yourself?

KS: I just want to be consistent for myself. That's the way I've approached the games since I've come in, and I try to be there for every game. It's a long season, but you have to be consistent for 82 games all the way into the playoffs.

HD: What changes have you seen with the team under new coach Pat Burns?

KS: We still play the same way defensively, and he doesn't like turnovers. It's not really the X's and O's that Pat brings, it's what he demands and his attitude. He hates to lose, and I think he has a great pulse on the team. He knows when to say certain things and he's a very good bench coach. I really enjoy playing for him.

HD: As captain, how is your relationship with the coach different from the other guys on the team?

KS: I'm a veteran and the oldest guy on the team. We talk a lot and he asks me questions and for input on a daily basis. Pat's really easy to talk to; he's a personable guy and we have a great relationship. I've never really had any problems with any coaches, but I like Pat's style and I like the way he coaches.

HD: You've played for a number of coaches throughout your career, is it tough constantly following new coaching philosophies, and does it ever affect your game?

KS: For the most part, the last three or four coaches we've had, the main way we play is the same. It's a zone defense and we don't play man-to-man, and that's the most important thing. There are some differences, but mostly it is the same defensive scheme.

HD: You are known as an aggressive defender and someone who plays hard. You're notorious for some classic hits, but those who know the game would never refer to you as a dirty player. How do you walk that fine line and not get a bad reputation?

KS: I guess I always just try to play clean and keep the elbows down. That's how you walk the fine line. I'm very aggressive and very emotional, so I think I've done a good job staying out of the penalty box and taking aggressive penalties.

HD: The Lindros run-in during the play offs is probably still talked about as one of your biggest hits--especially now that he's playing for New York. Talk about that hit and how--if at all--it affected you for the rest of the game and playoffs. KS: That unfortunate incident happened. But I think I said then, "The bottom line now is winning, and I want to make sure we win the damn game." I play physical and hard, and I don't want to see anyone get hurt, but the worst thing would've been losing that damn game after all that.