Jay Pandolfo

Two time Stanley Cup champion Jay Pandolfo announced his retirement. 

Best known as a prized defensive role player along side linemate John Madden, was best known as a New Jersey Devil.

Pandolfo was drafted by the Devils 32nd overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. The native of Winchester, MA went on to an outstanding four-year college career at Boston University. In four years ye scored 78 goals, 89 assists, and 167 points. In his senior year, he was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award and was named Hockey East Player of the Year.

After apprenticing in the minor leagues Pandolfo joined the Devils full time by 1998. He was a perfect fit for the defensively-defined Devils and he helped the team win Stanley Cups in 2000 and 2003. Pandolfo was not a noted goal scorer but he was a terrific penalty killer and shutdown winger. He was the ultimate teammate who would do whatever was asked of him to win. As Sherry Ross once described him, "He's the glue, not the glitter."

Claude Julien coached Pandolfo in both New Jersey and Boston, and appreciated his efforts more than anybody.

“He was such a smart player. His strength was always hockey sense. I know he had scoring skills and put up big offensive numbers in college, but then he came to the pro level and was a little bit like Guy Carbonneau for that matter. He modified his game and became a really good defensive-minded player that you knew was going to be reliable against top lines.”

In 899 career regular season games, Pandolfo, who also briefly played with Boston and NY Islanders, had 100 goals and 226 points. He added 11 goals and 33 points in 131 Stanley Cup Playoff games, all with New Jersey.