New Jersey Devils defenseman Brett Pesce joined Anders Lee (New York Islanders) and Adam Fox (New York Rangers) to throw out an honorary first pitch ahead of the New York Mets-Cinncinnati Reds game at Citi Field on Saturday.
Per NHL.com staff writer Christopher Detwiler, Pesce brought his dad to Citi Field to catch his first pitch.
“Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for myself, and more importantly, my father,” Pesce said to NHL.com. “He’s a die-hard Mets fan so the fact that he got to catch that for me, it was cool.”
Pesce, a Tarrytown, New York native, signed a six-year, $33 million contract ($5.5 million average annual value) with the Devils on the opening day of free agency.
“Playing close to home for me is something really important. To be 45 minutes from the Prudential Center is a dream come true,” Pesce said. “I played my youth hockey in Hackensack. I can’t ask for anything more.”
Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald confirmed Pesce would play against the opposing team’s top lines. A role the defenseman is familiar and comfortable with.
“I take a lot of pride in playing against other team’s top lines and doing my best to shut them down. Provide reliable, steady play on the backend,” he said.
Pesce was a teammate of former Devils defenseman Brendan Smith during his tenure with the Carolina Hurricanes, and while they will not reunite in New Jersey, Smith believes Pesce will be a great fit there.
“He’s got that New Jersey style in him,” Smith told The Hockey News. “He grew up in the area, and he’s got that feel and understands it.”
Pesce and the rest of the team’s veteran players will report to training camp on Sept. 18. The Devils will play their first preseason game a few days later on Sept. 22 against Lee and the Islanders.
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