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Men's Hockey Alec Stocker Johnson, FightingHawks.com

Travis Zajac retires after 15-year NHL career

Former UND forward played over 1,000 games with New Jersey Devils

Former UND forward Travis Zajac announced his retirement from the National Hockey League on Monday morning following a 15-year NHL career that spanned two teams. 

Zajac, who spent all but 13 games of his 15-year NHL career with New Jersey, today signed a one-day contract with the New Jersey Devils and announced his retirement from the National Hockey League. Zajac will remain with the organization in an on/off-ice player development and consulting role, while also working to grow the club's youth hockey initiatives. 

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"Everyone in the NHL appreciates that Travis Zajac's work ethic and style of play were reflective of the New Jersey Devils," said Tom Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President/General Manager, New Jersey Devils. "His training, discipline and focus rubbed off on every player who walked into that locker room over his 15-year career. I look forward to Travis working with our organization, on his terms and his timeline, in a manner that influences future Devils in the same manner when he played. We are ecstatic to know we will see the Zajac family around the Prudential Center rinks for years to come."

Zajac was New Jersey's first-round selection and 20th overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.  A symbol of durability and reliability, Travis Zajac played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League, all but the end of last season with New Jersey.  He appeared in 1,037 career regular-season games scoring 203 goals and 349 assists for 552 points while registering 344 penalty minutes.  Zajac's name is posted across New Jersey's franchise all-time leaderboards- his games-played total (1,024) ranks fourth, goal total (202) ranks tied for third, assist total (348) is fifth and points (550) rank third. Zajac appeared in his 1,000th career NHL game on February 21, 2021, at Washington, at the time becoming just the fourth player in franchise history to achieve that mark.  Zajac also owns the franchise record for most consecutive games played, 401, from October 26, 2006, through April 10, 2011.  

"During his 15-year NHL career, Travis Zajac's consistent preparation, commitment and performance epitomized what it meant to be a New Jersey Devil," said David Blitzer, Managing Partner of the New Jersey Devils. "Win or lose, Travis' teammates, coaches and fans could always count on him to play the right way. I am thrilled that Travis, his wife Nicole and their children will continue to make New Jersey their home, and they will be a valued part of the Devils organization moving forward."
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Zajac finished his career with the New York Islanders, following a trade on April 7, 2021- playing in 13 regular-season games (1G-1A) and 14 Stanley Cup Playoff contests (1G-1A).  Zajac made his NHL debut October 6, 2006, at Carolina and scored his first NHL goal the next evening October 7, 2006, at Dallas.  During his career, he received Lady Byng votes in seven of his NHL seasons and Selke votes in seven separate seasons.  He served as an assistant captain in seven of his last eight seasons with New Jersey.  

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Over two seasons with North Dakota, Zajac appeared in 89 games for the Fighting Sioux, helping UND reach the Frozen Four in both 2005 and 2006. Over those 89 games, the Winnipeg, Manitoba native scored 35 goals and added 48 assists for 83 points. 

He was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team in 2005 and ranks eighth all-time in program history with a 56.7 face-off winning percentage. 

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Zajac played with former UND alum Zach Parise for five seasons in New Jersey, helping the Devils reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2012. 

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