Sixteen years after Anchorage's Scott Gomez made his NHL debut with the New Jersey Devils, the career of Alaska's most decorated and accomplished hockey player has come full circle.
The Devils on Monday announced they have signed Gomez, 34, who attended their training camp and has since practiced with the team and worked out at its facilities while waiting for a roster spot to open.
Gomez said Monday he accompanied the Devils to Pittsburgh, where they play the Penguins on Tuesday night.
"I'm so excited,'' Gomez said by cellphone. "It's almost like I'm a rookie again.''
New Jersey made Gomez, a center, a first-round draft pick in 1998. He debuted in the world's best league at 19, winning the first of his two Stanley Cups with the Devils in 2000, when he was also voted the NHL's Rookie of the Year.
Gomez spent the first seven seasons of his pro career with New Jersey. He has also played for the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers.
Gomez has played in 987 regular-season NHL games, bagging 713 points, and played in 149 playoff games, furnishing 101 points.
Gomez said his relationship with longtime Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello convinced him New Jersey represented his best chance of kick-starting his career. Injuries to several Devils forwards – principally centers Travis Zajac and Adam Henrique – have left New Jersey thin up front and opened a door for Gomez.
"I know my job – it's to dish the puck and help out,'' Gomez said. "They know what I am. I won't be going for the Selke (Trophy, as the NHL's best defensive forward).''
In New Jersey's practice Monday, Gomez centered veterans Patrik Elias and Jaromir Jagr. Gomez earlier in his career centered a New Jersey line that featured wingers Elias and Brian Gionta – it was known as the EGG line – and centered Jagr some when both played for the Rangers.
The Devils did not release details of Gomez's contract, but Sportsnet reported it as a one-year, two-way deal worth a pro-rated $550,000, the NHL minimum this season. The "two-way'' status denotes Gomez would be paid a much lower salary if he ends up in the American Hockey League. Money is not an issue for Gomez – capgeek.com reports his career earnings at nearly $63 million.
Gomez wore No. 23 when he first played for New Jersey – that number currently belongs to Mike Cammalleri – and was assigned No. 21 on Monday.
He said he's happy to wear any number and appreciates No. 21 because it was worn by winger Randy McKay, one of Gomez's mentors as a young player in New Jersey, and also friend Brian Kraft when Kraft played at UAA.
Gomez won't know until Tuesday whether he will make his season debut against Pittsburgh.
"I've put in the work,'' Gomez said. "I'm ready.''
Reach Doyle Woody at dwoody@alaskadispatch.com, check out his blog at adn.com/hockey-blog and follow him on Twitter at @JaromirBlagr