The extremely anticipated International Sequence opens tomorrow (Oct. 4), with the New Jersey Devils opening their season towards the Buffalo Sabres at O2 Enviornment in Prague, Czechia. The puck will drop at round 1:00 PM EDT or 7:00 PM in Prague. For a lot of diehard followers in overseas international locations, this can be a uncommon alternative to catch a recreation at an inexpensive hour.
I spoke with Devils followers on each continent (besides Antarctica) to grasp the distinctive way of life of fandom for a workforce that’s so far-off. For those who’re from the USA or Canada, you’ll by no means take 7 PM puck drops with no consideration after studying this. Listed here are their tales.
(Some quotes have been evenly edited for readability, as English is the second language of lots of the interviewees.)
Video Video games to Actuality in Finland
Distance from Prudential Middle: approx. 4,077 miles
A Finnish native, Teemu Tiittanen (28) was first launched to the Devils by way of the NHL 2004 online game. For the reason that Devils have been fairly good on the time, he and his Finnish friends typically selected them as their workforce. For Tiittanen, it sparked an unwavering love. “I watch roughly 50 to 60 video games per season,” stated Tiittanen. A 7 PM EDT puck drop is 2 AM in Finland. “I normally sleep a pair hours earlier than the sport, after which attempt to sleep two to 3 hours after the sport, earlier than heading to work at 8 AM.”
He had his lifelong dream fulfilled in 2018, seeing the Devils tackle the Edmonton Oilers on the International Sequence in Gothenburg, Sweden. He then visited the USA in 2022 and attended 4 Devils video games, together with a Jack Hughes hat-trick towards the Washington Capitals. “I purchased a Jack Hughes jersey proper after the sport,” stated Tiittanen with fun. He owns a ton of memorabilia, together with about 15 hats, three jerseys, many t-shirts, and slippers. He’ll be in Prague to observe each Devils video games this weekend.
A Polish Satan Canine!
Distance from Prudential Middle: approx. 4,204 miles
Dominik Derda (31) lives in Poland, the place puck drop is normally round 1 AM. When he was 18, he purchased a beanie with the Devils’ brand, which piqued his curiosity. Earlier than lengthy, he discovered himself sitting in entrance of the tv at 1 AM, locked in on the pink and black. “(It’s) fairly difficult to remain awake,” stated Derda. “Nonetheless, it’s price it.”
When life will get in the best way, it’s typically not possible to observe video games that late, however he watches as many as he can. He couldn’t title a single favourite participant, as an alternative sharing that he enjoys watching fellow Europeans Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, and Nico Hischier. Like Tiittanen, he’ll even be in Prague to cheer on the Devils in particular person…for the primary time. “(It’s) my first NHL recreation. I couldn’t be extra excited,” he stated. He was additionally fast to let me know that his canine is an enormous Devils fan too.
Relentlessness Catches Eyes in Australia
Distance from Prudential Middle: approx. 9,617 miles
Kacey Corridor (35) resides in Brisbane, Australia, the place video games normally begin round 9 AM. She has included them into her morning routine by streaming the video games by way of the NHL app. “And people uncommon 3 or 4 AM begins? I’m nonetheless up for them—there’s no means I’m lacking out on Devils hockey,” stated Corridor.
She tuned in to her first NHL recreation in 2022 out of curiosity. It occurred to be a Hudson River Rivalry matchup, with the Devils taking over the New York Rangers. The Devils didn’t win however clawed till the tip, and she or he was hooked. “What grabbed me wasn’t the rating, however the relentless battle the Devils confirmed. They by no means backed down, and I cherished each second of it.” She then attended the International Sequence in Melbourne, Australia (Arizona Coyotes vs. Los Angeles Kings) for her first in-person NHL recreation.
She stated naming a favourite participant is “close to not possible”, however Hischier takes the cake. Bratt is shut. “I’m hoping the NHL brings much more video games to Australia. We may undoubtedly use extra hockey motion down right here,” stated Corridor. Fortunately, she doesn’t have to attend for the Devils to return there, as she’s taking a 21+ hour flight to Newark over the winter to catch a recreation on the Prudential Middle for the primary time. She referred to as it an expertise she’s been “dreaming about.”
A Combat Turns Into Devils Love in South Africa
Distance from Prudential Middle: approx. 7,897 miles
A South African native, Jessica Dobbin (30) additionally just lately received into hockey. Her Canadian buddy despatched her a video of a hockey battle, and it blew her thoughts that combating was acceptable within the sport. “I began watching video games and googling the foundations…At first…I’d watch whichever groups have been enjoying, however I discovered some groups form of boring to observe (sorry Penguins). I began making an effort to remain as much as watch the groups I assumed performed extra attention-grabbing hockey, and ultimately, I used to be making a degree to observe Devils video games at any time when I may,” stated Dobbin.
Video games begin at 1 AM there, and a couple of AM as soon as daylight financial savings kicks in. If she’s not working the following morning, she stays as much as watch the video games. “Since final season was my intro to hockey and (the Devils) have been so brutal, I determine I’ve received to stay round to see the Devils flip issues round,” she stated. Her favourite participant is Hischier, and she or he talked about that she hopes he has much less of a purpose to “look grumpy” in postgame interviews this season.
Massive Devils Desires From Portugal
Distance from Prudential Middle: approx. 3,400 miles
Maria Rita Antunes Ventura (22) is finding out Communications and Journalism in Portugal. A lot of her classmates reported on the nation’s hottest sport, soccer. She wished to face out, so she regarded to hockey. “(The Devils) have the identical colours as my soccer workforce right here in Portugal, SL Benfica….they’re one of many hockey groups with a considerably accessible enjoying schedule in Portugal’s time zone,” stated Ventura. Earlier than she knew it, she was watching all of the video games regardless of their midnight begin time.
“I began watching hockey two years in the past, and I don’t intend to cease. I actually fell in love with the game,” she stated. She talked about that she has a dream of in the future attending to see the Devils dwell on the Prudential Middle. Within the meantime, she continues to cheer from afar and writes information and recaps regarding the Devils for her research.
Hudson River Rivalry Runs Sturdy in Germany
Distance from Prudential Middle: approx. 3,897 miles
Danilo Haack (42) has been a hockey fan since he was younger, primarily following his hometown squad, Düsseldorfer EG. However in 1995, he performed the EA Sports activities NHL franchise for the primary time on his pc. He chosen the button to play as a random workforce, and the Devils popped up.
He rapidly turned hooked and began gathering Devils participant playing cards and newspaper articles. He attributes a variety of his love for the workforce to the success of Martin Brodeur. In 2009, 14 years after he turned a fan, he noticed him play dwell (vs. Montreal Canadiens) on the Prudential Middle for the primary time. Then he noticed the Devils once more in 2010 (vs. Rangers). His father is a large Rangers fan.
The rivalry stays on the middle of some lighthearted quarrels throughout the Haack household at present. It’s been 14 years since he noticed the Devils in particular person, however this weekend, he’s heading to Prague to get that chance once more.
Hockey Playing cards to Hockey Love in Sweden
Distance from Prudential Middle: approx. 3,923 miles
Eric Borjesson (35) has been teaching junior hockey for 11 years in Sweden. In 1994, when he was simply 5 years previous, he started gathering hockey playing cards. His pals appreciated to hoard the playing cards of Swedish legends like Peter Forsberg and Mats Sundin, and he couldn’t sustain, so he began a set of Brodeur playing cards as an alternative. The extra he collected, the extra he realized he wished to undertake the Devils as his workforce. “It was distinctive that I used to be the one one in my friendship circle who was a Devils fan, and that made it even cooler. I held on to that and can till my coronary heart stops beating,” stated Borjesson.
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His favourite participant is clearly Brodeur, however he gave an honorable point out to Scott Niedermayer and Patrik Elias, who he says is “one of the crucial underrated gamers to grace NHL ice.” With a busy way of life, he doesn’t get to see most video games, so he catches up with highlights when he wakes up.
Nonetheless, he has no problem turning into an insomniac for the 1 AM begin occasions after they’re within the playoffs. He’s solely seen the Devils in particular person as soon as after they performed in his residence nation of Sweden in 2018. “It was superior. I used to be sitting close to an enormous group of Oilers followers who have been a bit cocky, in a enjoyable means, and I used to be the one who received to rejoice. It was a improbable night time,” he stated.
Hughes Period Ushers in International Viewers
Sweden Distance from Prudential Middle: approx. 3,923 miles | New Zealand Distance: approx. 8,921 miles
Linn Koch (23) additionally resides in Sweden and is a part of the youthful era of Devils followers being ushered in by way of the youthful ability of the workforce’s core. She didn’t develop up watching hockey, however her social media confirmed a ton of content material about J. Hughes. She began researching him and studying extra about hockey in consequence. “He’s a part of a purpose why I fell in love with the game,” stated Koch. She watches video games on the weekends when she will sleep in after a 1 AM begin time. But when she will’t catch a weekday recreation, she makes positive to observe it in full the following day at a extra handy time.
“I’m at present making an attempt to avoid wasting up cash for a visit to New Jersey so I can watch a recreation in particular person,” stated Koch. She additionally talked about that she has made many on-line pals due to her Devils fandom. Equally, Abigail from New Zealand latched onto the Devils from seeing TikToks about them, primarily J. Hughes. The video games there begin round 10 AM, so she views it as an ideal approach to begin her day (until they lose, in fact).
Swiss Connection Attracts in Swiss Fan
Distance from Prudential Middle: approx. 3,937 miles
Fabian (42) resides in Switzerland and has been a fan for some time, due to Brodeur. However when the Devils introduced his countryman Hischier on board, he adopted the workforce much more intently. He watches as many video games as potential, relying on his schedule. Like most Europeans, he watches each afternoon recreation because it’s night in Switzerland.
“All of the readers ought to know, the Devils have among the finest fan communities throughout the NHL, and the ambiance within the Prudential Middle is solely wonderful,” stated Fabian. He retains up on his information by following fan pages and the workforce straight however admits it’s slightly laborious to observe as English will not be his native language. After Timo Meier was introduced in on the 2023 commerce deadline, he has much more purpose to observe now.
Tatted Up in Finland
Distance from Prudential Middle: approx. 4,077 miles
Lauri Kuittinen (31) first turned a Devils fan whereas studying {a magazine} on the age of 4. He cherished the emblem and knew he needed to observe, so he’d test the morning sports activities information to see if the Devils performed and whether or not or not they’d received. That love boiled over into an obsession, and he now proudly represents his beloved workforce with a chest tattoo.
He struggled with balancing watching versus sleeping for many of his life, however the improvement of streaming providers has allowed him to maintain up very simply. Now, he goes to mattress, understanding the sport can be over when he wakes. He then will get up and has breakfast whereas watching the sport from begin to end earlier than heading to work.
He has been to New Jersey on three separate events to see the Devils and is now heading to Prague to see them open the season. “I hope this upcoming season goes nicely so I can plan my fourth Devils recreation journey to New Jersey, this time for the primary spherical of the playoffs,” stated Kuittinen.
Underdog Story Resonates for This Slovak Native
Distance from Prudential Middle: approx. 4,340 miles
Samuel Švajda (18) lives in Slovakia, the place Devils first-round choose Simon Nemec is from. Naturally, Nemec is one in all Švajda’s favourite gamers. His story of turning into a Devils fan was easy: “I appreciated to assist struggling groups, so I selected the Devils,” stated Švajda. Slovakia has at all times been a hockey-centric nation however has not had the worldwide outcomes to point out for it, so it is smart that the youthful Slovak era would gravitate in the direction of the Devils.
Including Nemec, the second-highest-drafted Slovak participant of all time, is a good bonus. Švajda watches as many Devils video games as he can, ensuring to catch each weekend contest. “We’re profitable the Cup,” he proclaimed.
Lifelong Love for Hockey Rolls Sturdy in Israel
Distance from Prudential Middle: approx. 5,719 miles
Adam Kwestel (30) resides in Israel, the place he moved a number of years again from New Jersey. “My complete household was a hockey household rising up. I’ve two brothers that have been highschool state champions. One among them went on to play juniors in Canada and now performs Division 3 at Buffalo State. A 3rd sibling performed membership hockey at Ohio State,” stated Kwestel. “I used to be the one one who by no means performed myself, however once I moved to Israel, hockey was a means for me to remain linked with my household, and being from Jersey, I needed to assist the house workforce.”
He makes positive to cover any notifications from the earlier night time so he can watch a recreation with out spoilers. His favourite participant is Dawson Mercer, who he thinks is slept on as a result of the highlight falls on J. Hughes. “(Mercer) is stable on offense and protection, and he had that scorching streak two seasons in the past…I believe that’s his true capacity,” he stated.
On the Display screen to Actual Life in Czechia
Distance from Prudential Middle: approx. 4,136 miles
Alzbeta Bilikova (18) resides in Czechia and have become a diehard Devils fan due to her father. She doesn’t watch most video games at their regular midnight begin time, however as a morning particular person, she is going to get up early for any West Coast Devils video games, which begin round 4-5 AM there. Her favourite gamers are Hischier and J. Hughes.
She had a dream come true in Might when she received to see Devils Jonas Siegenthaler, Hischier, and Akira Schmid play on the World Championships, which have been hosted in her residence nation of Czechia. “I used to be so proud that I might be there and see faces I see on the display, however in actual life,” stated Bilikova.
Devils Love Worldwide
Hockey has such a world attain, which is exactly why occasions just like the International Sequence are so nice for the game. Along with the parents interviewed right here, Devils followers from the next international locations additionally reached out regardless of not having the ability to join in time for a full interview: Brazil, Mongolia, Honduras, Austria, England, Norway, Netherlands, Mexico, Kuwait, Scotland, Chile, Spain and Hungary.
The Devils are particularly current in Australia and Brazil, the place social media appears to have introduced the workforce to the forefront of the dialog. The hashtags #njdevils and #jackhughes have had over 80,000 movies created on TikTok alone, with lots of of thousands and thousands of cumulative views. A easy clip of J. Hughes fist-bumping a fan after warmups reached 7.9 million views and 1.1 million likes alone. The Devils are benefitting from their gifted younger core, and it’s setting them up for his or her fanbase to develop exponentially (each globally and in New Jersey) due to social media and streaming.
