Having a Hell of a a Time in the NHL - Jersey Devils player Scott Gomez

Hockey Digest, April, 2001 by Rich Chere

Following his stunning rookie year, the Devils forward may no longer be the NHL's hot story--but that's fine with him

SINCE FORMER NHL PRESIDENT Frank Calder first started purchasing and presenting a trophy to the NHL's top rookie in 1937, many of the game's biggest stars have claimed the award by breaking in with a splash. Bobby Orr, Mike Bossy, and Mario Lemieux, for instance, were all Calder winners.

Few top rookies, however, have had such a widespread impact off the ice as last season's Calder winner, New Jersey Devils forward Scott Gomez.

Gomez is both the NHL's first Hispanic player and the first native Alaskan to have any significant impact in the league. His father, Carlos, is one of 10 children born to Mexican migrant workers in California. He later moved to Alaska to work on the Pipeline. Scott's mother, Dalia, was born in Colombia. She was abducted by her natural father and taken to Brooklyn when she was five, and then relocated to Anchorage when she was seven.

With his unique heritage and outstanding play, Gomez spent his entire rookie season besieged by print television, and radio reporters who wanted to hear the improbable tale behind his trail-blazing efforts. As he quickly became one of the league's most recognizable faces, Gomez handled the never-ending demand with grace and patience.

After last year's whirlwind, which culminated, of course, with the Devils winning the Stanley Cup, Gomez began 200-01 mired in the inevitable sophomore slump. The 22-year-old forward didn't score his first goal until the Devils' 10th game, as New Jersey also struggled out of the gate. By midseason, though, both Gomez and the Devils were back on track, with Gomez on pace to approach his surprising rookie numbers of 51 assists and 70 points. All along, Gomez has remained a reliable presence on the ice. Through mid-January, he had yet to miss a game (both regular season and playoffs) in his NHL career.

Gomez recently sat down with HOCKEY DIGEST to discuss his unusual background, his struggles earlier this season, and his link to Jim Nabors.

HOCKEY DIGEST: What did you enjoy most about your rookie season?

SCOTT GOMEZ: Driving home and driving to the rink. I would start laughing to myself, thinking, "I'm in the NHL." It was weird. I'd be talking to my parents and realize, "Oh, my gosh, I'm in the NHL." That was probably the best feeling ever.

HD: Do you ever lose that feeling?

SG: No. You have your days when you're down. Then you think, "What am I worrying about?" It was all so new for me last year. I was excited to travel; I was excited about everything. What I tell people is: Think about having a dream since you were a little kid and you fulfill your dream.

HD: What was the worst part of your rookie season?

SG: The Stanley Cup Finals. That was rough on the body. Just to be there was unreal, but the stress was unbelievable. I was rooming with Arnie [Jason Arnott], and I couldn't even sleep at night. It's that nerve-wracking. Afterwards, it's the greatest feeling, but one little bounce here or there and it could have been a different story.

HD: Was there ever an uncomfortable aspect of all the attention you received for being of Hispanic descent?

SG: Not really. I guess I can see where some people might get upset because you'd have a group of reporters and you'd answer the same questions over and over. Then someone else would come over and ask the same question I'd just finished answering. It never really bothered me because, to me, it's never been a big deal. I guess to some people it's unheard of.

HD: At what point did you start thinking about winning the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year?

SG: I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about it. It was always brought up. It was kind of nice when the season was over and that was gone. You could tell a couple of times during the season it was just eating me away. Claude Lemieux would sit me down and tell me, "I know you're thinking about it."

I'd say, "No I'm not," and he would give me that look. He helped me out with that.

HD: What kind of relationship did you have with Lemieux?

SG: He was like an older brother. He wasn't scared to get on me. Maybe some people thought he was hard on me at times, but in his eyes, I wasn't a rookie--I was the centerman on his line. He expected things. I learned a lot from him. I learned about the way to present yourself, dealing with the pressure. It was definitely special playing with Pep. It was tough seeing him [sign with the Phoenix Coyotes].

HD: How did your family handle your instant celebrity?

SG: Most people don't realize it, but they probably had it the hardest. They were getting so much pressure at home. It was all new to everyone in Anchorage. My mom said she couldn't even walk to the store without people always asking questions. My parents got more publicity back home than ever ... people always calling and needing tickets. Probably it was hard on my little sister and older sister, but they all handled it well. It was all new to us. We were all rookies.