Travis Zajac

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Zajac's rise from a BCHL standout to an NHL fixture began when the Devils traded up to select him 20th overall in 2004. He chose college hockey at the University of North Dakota over major junior, wanting an education alongside his playing career. In his rookie NHL season, Zajac scored 17 goals and 25 assists, finishing seventh among NHL rookies. He centered the "ZZ Pop" line with Zach Parise and Jamie Langenbrunner, a unit that became the Devils' top line. Zajac led the team in plus-minus (+33) in 2008–09, tied for fourth in the League, after finishing –11 the year before. He credited his chemistry with Parise, who also attended North Dakota, as a "big brother" influence. Zajac improved his faceoff winning percentage to 53.1% in 2008–09, crediting assistant coach Adam Oates, considered one of the premier faceoff men of his era, with the improvement.

In Their Own Story

In the 2006–07 season, Zajac scored his first career NHL goal in the second game against the Dallas Stars. He was placed on the Devils' second line with former North Dakota standout Zach Parise and veteran winger Jamie Langenbrunner, a line dubbed "ZZ Pop(s)" after Zajac and Zach's initials and Langenbrunner's veteran status. Zajac missed only two games in October due to a leg injury—as of the end of the 2010–11 season, those were the only two games he had missed in his professional career. He netted three assists against the Ottawa Senators in a November game, and later notched his first NHL two-goal game against the Philadelphia Flyers. In the 2007 playoffs, Zajac scored his first career post-season point with an assist in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and his first post-season goal in Game 1 of the Semifinals against Ottawa. He finished tenth in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy and won the Devils' Fan Club award for Rookie of the Year.

Reader's Guide

Travis Zajac's career with the Devils is defined by his steady two-way play and faceoff excellence. After being drafted 20th overall in 2004, he played college hockey at the University of North Dakota, where he scored 17 goals and 19 assists as a freshman and was named to the NCAA East All-Tournament Team and the WCHA All-Rookie Team. In his sophomore season, he had 18 goals and 29 assists, playing alongside future NHL players including Taylor Chorney, T. J. Oshie, Drew Stafford, and Jonathan Toews. Zajac signed an entry-level contract with the Devils after North Dakota's season ended, forgoing his last two years of college eligibility. He made the Devils' roster out of training camp for the 2006–07 season. Over his career, Zajac set career highs in goals (20), assists (42), and points (62) in 2008–09, and surpassed those totals with 25 goals and 67 points in 2009–10. He led the team in faceoffs, winning 52.9% of his draws in 2009–10. Zajac's faceoff ability continued to improve under assistant coach Adam Oates, and he credited Oates with his development. After 15 seasons with the Devils, Zajac retired following a brief stint with the New York Islanders.

Did You Know?

• Zajac was selected 20th overall in the 2004 NHL entry draft after the Devils traded up to get him.
• He played college hockey at the University of North Dakota, where his teammates included future NHL players T. J. Oshie, Drew Stafford, and Jonathan Toews.
• Zajac missed only two games in his professional career through the end of the 2010–11 season, both due to a leg injury in October 2006.
• He finished tenth in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL rookie of the year in 2007.
• Zajac credited assistant coach Adam Oates, considered one of the premier faceoff men of his era, with improving his faceoff ability.