For Holtz, Patience is Key | FEATURE

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The overtime goal was Holtz's second tally of the night. His evening heroics also saw him tie the game late in the third period with just 1:46 remaining to force the extra session with another top corner shot.
It took Holtz 58:14 minutes to get that first tally. Then he accounted for two goals in a 2:03-minute span.
Better late than never.
"I know he wanted to get a first impression. He thought it was going to happen in the first shift of the game. That's just not the way this thing works," coach Kevin Dineen said. "I think there was a level of patience, he stuck with it, he got his opportunity. Boy, he's fun to watch when the puck's on his stick."
Patience was key. Holtz had generated several quality-scoring chances before converting twice. He hit a post in the second period and had a chance to tie the game late in the third period (before he actually tied the game later in the third period), but his shot sailed wide.
"I think I had good speed all game long. I could have created more chances," Holtz said. "Chances come, chances go. I had a good opportunity in the third period, and I put it high. I was a little frustrated by that one, but it was nice to get a couple in the end."
Patience has served Holtz well. Not only during Friday night's game. But all throughout his 2021-22 campaign.
The 6-foot, 190-pound forward had an impressive training camp and preseason last year, tying for the club lead in goals (2), points (4) and plus-minus (+4). However, a numbers game meant that he began the year in the American Hockey League with Utica.
It wouldn't take long before Holtz got his chance in the NHL, making his NHL debut Nov. 5 at Los Angeles. But after six scoreless games, Holtz was returned to the AHL. He would get one more three-game look at the NHL late in the season, but spent the majority of the year in Utica.
"It's a kick in the tail. That meeting happens," said Dineen, who is the head coach in Utica, about Holtz being sent to the minors. "The fun factor is low, but you have a four-and-a-half-hour car ride (to Utica) to hop in there and sort that out.
"I thought he was really solid from Game 1 of his arrival up to when he got called up and when he came back down."
Solid is an understatement. Instead of wallowing, Holtz was a true professional. He focused and tallied 26 goals and 51 points in 52 games with the Comets in his first full season of North American hockey. He also represented Sweden in the World Junior Championship.
"It was a lot of up and down," Holtz said of his year. "I played different kind of games, AHL, NHL, World Juniors as well. When I look back on it, it was a good year. Of course, I want more games in the NHL. But I think I developed a lot in the AHL."
Holtz's biggest strength is his shot and finish, which is why he was selected seventh-overall in the 2020 NHL Draft by New Jersey. That's evident just watching him unload the puck. But his biggest areas of improvement came in his overall game during a season of development.
"Obviously, his shot is lethal. It's very special in the way he shoots the puck. That's a key," Dineen said. "His hockey IQ is really strong. He plays the game the right way. I went through his video this summer. Defensively, he cares. He plays the game hard. There are some skills that he'll continue to work on to be an elite player, which is my expectation for him. He's making some efforts to work on those areas and keep improving his game."
Holtz was tasked with improving in areas of his game over the summer, which includes some necessary work off the ice as well.
"They wanted me to come with good conditioning, faster, stronger, all those types of things," he said. "I think I had a really good summer back home. I was skating a lot, working out a lot … Do everything a little bit faster."
"I know the effort that went into his summer," Dineen said. "My expectations are that he's really taken a commitment to improving some of the skillsets that we've challenged him to work on this summer. This (tournament) will be the first taste of that."
The first taste resulted in a pair of clutch goals (tying and winning) and an impressive showing. But it's not time to rest on one performance. Earning a spot in the NHL requires a consistent showing throughout the tournament and into training camp.
"Everything starts with this tournament. This is my start for the season," Holtz said. "It's a big opportunity to get games, get touches in, get the timing going. It's a huge opportunity to get some games here and being able to play some hockey.
"I want to show that I'm stronger on the puck. I'm a better skater now. I can handle to puck by myself more and create opportunities. I still want to play a complete game, show that I can play a 200-foot game, but of course I want to score goals as well."
A lot of eyes will be on Holtz during the tournament and camp. While the team has high hopes for his talent and ability, it's up to Holtz to put it together and earn his spot.
"I know I can play up there, I just have to show it," Holtz said. "That's the main thing this season, show that I can play at that level."
That is Holtz's ultimate goal. From starting in Buffalo to starting the season in the NHL.
"My expectations are for him to go out, have a very solid training camp starting here in Buffalo," Dineen said, "and being very, very competitive for a spot on the New Jersey Devils lineup."
Only time will tell if, just like Friday night, Holtz won't be denied.