The Czech player was a Second Round Pick in 1994, and after playing one Game in 1995-96 and 17 in 1996-97, Elias was on the Devils' roster to stay. The Left Wing was a disciplined two-way hockey player who knew that he needed to tend to his end of the ice while he was there to score.
Elias had his first 50 Point year in 1988-99, which he increased to 72 in 1999-2000, the season where he helped New Jersey win their second Stanley Cup. His best year came in immediately after when he set personal highs in Goals (40), Assists (56), and Points (96), and he was first in the NHL in Plus/Minus (+45). Elias was so good, that he was a First Team All-Star, the first and only time he won that honor.
Elias could not replicate that output, but he had nine more seasons for New Jersey, where he had at least 50 Points, with three of them over 75. He would also have eight seasons where he received a Lady Byng vote, four with a Frank J. Selke vote, and led New Jersey to another Stanley Cup in 2003.
In 2018, Elias’ number was retired by New Jersey. As of this writing, Elias is the franchise leader in Goals (408), Assists (617) and Points (1,025).
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