NEWARK, NJ - In the beginning, there was no such thing as familiarity –or unity. "The thing I learned the most was that I hated to lose. It was no fun. Usually, on a bad team, players will want to be traded. But, as a kid, I said, "Wait and see, when we turn the corner, I wanna be part of that. We began to develop a good attitude, then once Lou [Lamoriello, who is the team’s CEO, President and General Manager] came in, we solidified our place.

"When Lou came here in ’88, he brought discipline and structure. We didn’t have much of that before. But, when Jacques Lemaire –and all his Stanley Cup rings-arrived in ’94, we now had someone with a winning tradition. This is why our expectations were very high.

"Our team was successful because everybody understood their role. My role was to keep the puck out of the net. We were like a band -there were drummers, guitarists, violinists…everyone had to be in tune or there wouldn’t be any harmony."

The 6’1", 215 native of Windsor, Ontario amassed 2,519 penalty minutes, which is the most in NHL history among players who have appeared with just one club. He topped the Devils in penalty minutes six times overall, including five consecutive seasons from 1986-87 through 1990-91.

Daneyko had career regular-season totals of 36 goals and 142 assists for 178 points and was a plus-78. He posted career-highs of 21 points in 1989-90 and a +27 during each of the 1993-94 and 1998-99 seasons. In the post-season, Daneyko added five goals, 22 points and a team-record 296 penalty minutes. He played in 175 games, another team record and, until this past season, had appeared in every playoff game in team history.

In 1993-94, Daneyko helped the Devils set new team records with 47 wins and 106 points. In the playoffs they reached the Eastern Conference finals before losing a very close series to the New York Rangers, the eventual Stanley Cup champions.

"Yes, it was tough being so close. It was disappointing, but it’s something that can’t be taught. After ’94, we went to the Finals four times and won three. Ask anyone in team sports, it’s hard to win championships. So, to be part of that was great.

"You need to learn what it takes to get to the next level and, certainly, that series helped us." Daneyko remembered the present. "I hope the Rangers improve, because our rivalry with them was great for the game."

There were some individual accomplishments. Four assists in Game Three of the 1988 Patrick Division Finals vs. Washington. The Bill Masterton Trophy [dedication, perseverance and sportsmanship to hockey] in 2000, as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Then, prior to a contest with the Tampa Bay Lightning on January 9th, 2004 the organization honored Daneyko with a night.

And, while only one number has been retired by the team –in accordance with a league mandate to celebrate Wayne Gretzky’s historical career-, the Devils have unofficially retired No. 3. It is only fitting that Daneyko, an original if there ever was one, should be the team’s first honoree.

For now, however, the NHL is just an acronym for the No Hockey League.

"It is what it is. I can go over and over on the issues, but it won’t change a thing. The financial end had swung too far in the players’ favor. Still, I hope both sides aren’t stubborn enough to quit the season. There has got to be some dialogue. The league would’ve been on NBC this year. I just want the owners and players to come to an amicable agreement."

In any sport, that’s asking for a lot.

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