When Sean Durzi scored in overtime to defeat the New York Rangers 3-2 at Madison Square Garden in January, a month’s worth of pent-up emotion erupted.
His grandfather, who had never missed one of Durzi’s games, passed away just before Christmas. Durzi had already been dealing with long-term injuries and decreased ice time, so as excited as he was to grow the game of hockey in Utah, that chapter of his life hadn’t gone the way he’d hoped.
When Durzi was assessed what he felt was an unjust penalty in the waning minutes of regulation in a tied game at MSG that Monday evening, he “said a little prayer” for his teammates to get through it unscathed.
They did, and Durzi was there in the subsequent overtime to slide the puck past his good friend, then-Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick, and win it for the Mammoth.
“I’m going to try not to get emotional, but (my grandfather) was an important guy in my life, so it was nice to get that one for him,” he said after the game.
Nobody knew it at the time, but the purpose of Durzi’s next trip to New York would be to house hunt. The Mammoth traded him to the Rangers on free agency day as part of a package to acquire Vincent Trocheck.
“It was a surprise,” he said of the trade at his introductory press conference Thursday.
“But again, it’s a business at the end of the day. That’s kind of how this works. I’m a passionate player. I put my heart and soul into every single game, every single moment that I’m a part of, and maybe sometimes that makes you forget that it is a business. But at the end of the day, this isn’t my first trade. I know how to react, I know how to deal with it. Initial shock, and then it’s get to work.”
He said he wants to prove the Rangers staff right in trading for him.
“That’s kind of a little bit of a kick of motivation in the middle of a long, grinding summer. I can’t wait.”
What did Sean Durzi say about Utah?
Few players were as excited as Durzi to introduce the state of Utah to NHL hockey. Despite the unfortunate circumstances he faced throughout his two seasons, he loved his time with the Mammoth.
“I can’t say enough good things about my time in Utah and the people there, the staff, the players, the media, everybody as a whole,” he said. “It was really cool to be a part of something like that. Not many guys can say they’re a part of a relocation, and then just teaching a new fan base hockey and being a part of it, was a new experience for everyone.
“(I’m) just grateful for my time there. Can’t say enough good things, honestly.”
He said his biggest takeaway from his Mammoth tenure is his experience playing in big moments. It wasn’t his first venture into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but it was his first playoff experience as a veteran, rather than a youngster.
“You pick things up from other guys or from other people and you bring it along the way,” he said. “It all adds to your character and who you are as a person. So, my time in Utah was really important. I can’t say enough good things, and (I’m) excited to use those experiences moving forward and bring them with me wherever I am.”
Durzi won’t have to wait long to face his former teammates — the Rangers host the Mammoth on Oct. 4, their fourth game of the season. His return to the Delta Center will come a bit later, on March 9.
A second career?
Every NHL broadcaster should be shaking in their boots when Durzi eventually announces his retirement. No one’s job will be safe if he decides to go pro as a broadcaster.
He joined Utah’s TV crew on occasion during his injury in the inaugural season and this month, participated in the NHL’s broadcast training camp.
The broadcast training camp teaches fundamental skills to players who are interested in eventually getting into that line of work. This year, Durzi was the only player under contract who participated. Joining him were Ryan Reaves, Pat Maroon, Ryan Malone, Dwayne Roloson, Jack Johnson, Tyler Johnson and Cam Janssen.
“People want to be entertained. I think what those guys do for the game is unbelievable,” Durzi told ESPN. “I don’t know if everyone can be like those guys, with a good mix of analysis, fun and energy. But I think it’s something I can do.”
“... I always had an interest in all of it. Thought I’d give it a try. It’s a lot of fun. I’m learning a lot.”
