Gabriel traveled to New Jersey to join the team in his first training camp as a Devil. Fans were able to get an inside into an NHL training camp earlier this season by watching NHL Network's Behind The Glass, which followed the Devils throughout their preseason and Global Series. Although Gabriel didn't secure a spot on the roster in New Jersey and was sent to Binghamton, the series showed he's a player who isn't afraid to be tough when needed.
The Bell Let's Talk campaign takes place every year on January 30, and it opens doors for people to talk about, help raise awareness, and help end the stigma around mental health. This is a cause that Gabriel is very close to, as he lost his father to suicide at a young age. Learning more about mental health and awareness around it has helped him with the tragic event.
The #NJDevils are hosting their first Mental Health Awareness night Tuesday.
It will have extra meaning for Kurtis Gabriel, who spent years taking his father’s suicide personally, but time and more mental health awareness has helped him a lot. https://t.co/LUhOHcNd05
Just days later, when the Devils hosted the Islanders on February 7 at Prudential Center, Gabriel earned his first point as a Devil with an assist on a Kevin Rooney goal. Tweet from @NJDevils: 🍎: @kurtisgabriel, Jesper Bratt on @kroons25's 2nd of the season! #NYIvsNJD And while we're excited to see what this Devils forward has in store for the future, we also have a few fun facts you might not have known about him.
Gabriel started playing hockey at the age of five and played baseball, basketball, volleyball and ultimate frisbee while growing up. His favorite school subject was biology and his first job was a grocery store stock boy. If he wasn't a hockey player, this Devil would be a fitness athlete, as he says the one thing he can't live without is working out.
In his spare time, you might be able to catch Gabriel rocking out to his favorite band, Rage Against The Machine, watching his favorite movie, Remember the Titans, or catching up on his favorite show, Breaking Bad. You might even find him reading to kids at a local school.
This forward's favorite baseball team growing up was the Toronto Blue Jays, and although this Devils says his favorite Halloween costume is Clark Kent, we couldn't help but snag this photo of him as a banana. Even though he has some great Halloween costume ideas, he says the holiday he likes to celebrate the most would be Christmas.
