A Year of Firsts | THREE THINGS

With just two games left in the regular season, it becomes that time of year where you're looking back at all that has happened. The Devils have had a rollercoaster of highs and lows this year and its fair share of injuries. That left the door open for multiple necessary call-ups from the Utica Comets, whether to help fill a need as Nico Daws did in goal, or to have a look to see what's under the car's hood.
Eight players made their NHL debut this season and a sophomore player scored his first hat trick, all of which are covered here in Three Things, presented by Geico.

Nikita Okhotiuk

With that big grin, Nikita Okhotiuk made his National Hockey League debut on April 21 against the Buffalo Sabres.
That was his first of several firsts in his first three NHL games.
Okhotiuk bestowed upon himself that honor of scoring your first NHL goal in your first NHL game when he ripped a shot from atop the blueline past Sabres netminder Craig Anderson.

Just one game later, Okhotiuk had another first, picking up his first NHL assist (and first penalty!) against Carolina.

Colton White

Entering the 2021-22 NHL season, White had 11 games of NHL experience under his belt already but was still in search of his first point at the top level.
Against the Seattle Kraken, White assisted on Jimmy Vesey's second-period goal to pick up his first NHL point.
White is still waiting on that first NHL goal but has his first four assists at the NHL level through 38 career games.

Reilly Walsh

The most recent player to make their NHL debut this season was Reilly Walsh, who on Tuesday night suited up against the Ottawa Senators after being recalled earlier in the day. Walsh became the eighth player to make their National Hockey League debut with the Devils this season.
Walsh wasted little time chipping in with his first point. On a goal that could have read like a Utica Comets goal, Walsh had the secondary assist on Nolan Foote's first goal of the season, the goal also assisted by Fabian Zetterlund.

2. The Forwards

Dawson Mercer

The list of 'firsts' is extensive for this Devils rookie, who quickly established himself as a valuable 2-way player in his first NHL season, able to compete at a high level on a consistent basis.
Mercer made his NHL debut on opening night against Chicago on Oct. 15, 2021, and a game later he was on the board with his first NHL goal, when the Devils hosted the Seattle Kraken. In fact, he became the first player in franchise history to record a goal against the Kraken, giving the Devils a 1-0 lead at 5:02 of the first period.
Tweet from @NJDevils: First timer off the one timer. Congrats, Dawson! pic.twitter.com/svXfWc9BDa
Mercer's first two-point game would arrive shortly thereafter on Oct. 26, 2021, when at home against the Calgary Flames he put up a goal and an assist.
Although he is still waiting on his first two-goal game, he's already had his first three-point night with a goal and two assists against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 15, 2022.

Alexander Holtz

The much anticipated NHL debut of the 7th overall selection in the 2020 draft finally arrived on Nov. 9, 2021, against the Florida Panthers.
It wouldn't be much longer until he registered his first NHL point, which came in the third period against the Panthers.

Holtz has spent seven games in the NHL so far this season and has his first three NHL assists.
That first goal still awaits!

Fabian Zetterlund

Fabian Zetterlund made his debut on Nov. 18, 2021 while the Devils were visiting the Florida Panthers. The Swedish forward stayed with the NHL club for just three games before being returned to Utica, after minimal playing time in his first three games at the NHL level.
Zetterlund returned with his second call-up in early April and instantly showed the type of progress he made as a player in between his two call-ups this season. On April 9, Zetterlund registered his first NHL point, an assist against the Stars in Dallas, which also happened to be his first career two-point night, with two helpers in the Devils win.

It would only be a game later where Zetterlund would find his scoring touch, with his first career goal coming against the Arizona Coyotes, in his second two-point performance, also picking up an assist in the game.

Yegor Sharangovich

It's the second season for Yegor Sharangovich, but he too has a first to report from this season.
On April 2, Sharangovich became the first Devils player since Oct. 2019 to score a hat trick on Prudential Center ice. It also happened to be his first three-goal game.

Mason Geertsen

Acquired by the Devils on Oct. 3, 2021, off the waiver wire from the New York Rangers, Mason Geertsen made his NHL debut a few days later on Oct. 19 against the Seattle Kraken.

3. The Goalies

Nico Daws

It's probably safe to say that there was zero expectation that Nico Daws was expected to make his NHL debut this season. Marinating in the American Hockey League was the path that he was on out of training camp. But unforeseen circumstances with the NHL club dictated otherwise and on Oct. 23rd, 2021 he made his NHL debut with his first NHL start against the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center.
The game also was his first career NHL win.

Daws currently leads all Devils goaltenders with 10 wins on the season, one ahead of Mackenzie Blackwood.

Akira Schmid

Akira Schmid made his NHL debut on Dec. 11, 2021, when the Devils were visiting the New York Islanders and UBS Arena. Schmid appeared in six games with New Jersey this season and started four of the six games played.