I may have grown up a New York Rangers fan, but one player I admired was former New Jersey Devils defenseman and now broadcaster Ken Daneyko.
Mr. Daneyko played the game the right way, won three Stanley Cups, was a leader for the franchise on and off the ice, and represented the Devils well out in the community, something he still does to this day. All these things make him known as “Mr. Devil.”
Mr. Daneyko was kind enough to agree to do an email interview with me. We “talked” about how he got into broadcasting, his thoughts on last year’s Devils squad, and a look at the Devils’ future.
I hope you enjoy it!
PH: How did the opportunity to be the Devil’s color analyst come about?
KD: I had started doing some pre and post-game stuff right after my career on Sports Channel at the time and enjoyed it. Then in 2006, the Devils were on MSG, and I started my broadcasting career full-time by doing pre, between periods, and post-game.
When Chico Resch, who did the color and was winding his career down, MSG approached me about doing the color for games. I started in 2014, and being part of the action live was intriguing and something that I was excited about.
PH: As a player, you obviously went through a ton of preparation for every game and practice. How did you start preparing for your role as the team’s color analyst?
KD: I think having played for as long as I did, there is a lot of preparation that you have already done as far as your experiences in games and things you see guys do or not do during the broadcast that you can relate to the fans. Now it is just about getting comfortable in the booth and having to react quickly, and the more you do, the more comfortable you get.
I have always been a guy, even during my playing days, that watched a lot of games, so I got to know a lot about players and other teams, etc. Also, before the games, you obviously go through the opposition’s lineup, so the names come quickly and naturally during the broadcast.
Talking to players at practice or the morning skate for any intriguing stories or things about a player are also things to do that might be interesting for fans.
PH: You started as a broadcaster with the Devils in 2014. As such, you went through several seasons where the team missed the postseason. How did you and your broadcast partner (s) try to keep things positive and give the team’s fans hope for better days ahead?
KD: I have always been a very positive person and a glass-half-full kind of guy. Also, having been through some rough times and bad teams early in my career before we were able to turn it around, those experiences helped me explain a little more about what needs to happen during a rebuild or rough times for the team.
You have to preach patience, but you could see the Devils were drafting well, and they needed time for development, so we saw better days should be ahead and saw that if they grow together, those are things you express on a nightly basis, even though some nights over the years were certainly rough for sure.
PH: Speaking of better days, the Devils were OUTSTANDING last season. What was it like to be a part of it as a broadcaster?
KD: Well, yes, last year was a pleasant surprise. I do not think any of us could have seen that big of a turnaround that quickly from one season to the next.
It was, to say the least, a blast to call games, especially when the team is having so much success. I know Bill and I were pretty pumped on most nights just watching how much fun the players were having winning games.
When you watch a young team grow together, and the results start to come is maybe what I love most about calling the games. Just seeing all the hard work pay dividends and the young core grow together and start to believe they can compete and win games.
PH: Why was the team able to have so much success last season?
KD: I think the success the team had came from all the young guys taking a big step together as far as their production on the ice. They realized that they are a fast, young team, and they continued to get better during the season, which gave them the belief that they can win.
They played more consistently on a nightly basis. The veteran guys that Tom Fitzgerald added helped a lot in terms of leading the way for the young core.
A big part was they stayed relatively healthy, in particular in goal. In the previous season, I believe they had to use seven different goaltenders. It is tough to win in this league without your goaltenders making timely saves throughout the year, and they did that last season.
PH: You obviously get to witness Jack Hughes’s brilliance up close and personal on a daily basis during the season. Tell us just how special of a player he is and what his ceiling is.
KD: I think to have to have success as a team, you need your top players to take steps and improve each year, especially with such a young group. The Devils got that in particular from Jack Hughes, as you mentioned, as he had a breakout year.
It really is enjoyable watching a star player come into his own as Hughes did and see the confidence he played with. His effortless skating and ability to separate from defenders with his speed and puck possession was something that really stood out.
He sees the ice so well, and he draws defenders to him, allowing other guys to get open where he found them with regularity. His shot has also continually improved over the last few seasons as far as velocity, release, and accuracy.
The ceiling, I think, is up to him, but seeing how he believes in himself and the drive and determination he has on a nightly basis, he can be one of the best. He is worth the price of admission every night, and it is really a joy to call games when you have a star player creating the way he does and keeping all of us on the edge of our seats!
PH: The team somehow got even better in the off-season. What do you expect from them this upcoming season?
KD: Well, I am cautiously optimistic, is the way I will put it, as far as this upcoming season goes. I say that because teams know how fast and good they are now, where maybe they may have caught some by surprise last year.
Adding a veteran like Tyler Toffoli, who has won before and does not need as many chances to put the puck in the net, will certainly help. It will only get tougher this year as teams around them have improved as well.
Having said that, if they continue to grow as a team and play together, there is no reason they cannot continue to take strides and take the next step of being a contender.
PH: You are also an analyst for the NHL Network. What has that been like for you?
KD: I really enjoy working with NHL Network as well. I have been doing it for quite some time, and it is really beneficial as far as calling Devils games and keeping up on all the other teams and players.
The Network does a terrific job of showcasing the NHL and all of its incredible talent and skill during the year. I am also very fortunate to work with so many talented analysts and hosts who I learn from every day.
It is a great environment at the Network, and I feel blessed to work there for as long as I have.
PH: Is there anything else that you would like to share with us hockey fans?
KD: I guess last but not least, I would say I love the passion of every fan base. The competitive balance throughout the league is at an all-time high, which should give hope to every team each year as a team can turn it around quickly, more so now than ever, as far as having success.
I cannot wait for October to come should be another fantastic season coming up. Enjoy everyone!
