In this week’s Getting To Know, New Jersey Devils center Adam Henrique recounts how his father wouldn’t let him touch the Stanley Cup, talks about his reading habits and his memorable first NHL goal.

The Hockey News

Status: New Jersey Devils Center



Ht: 6-0 Wt: 196 pounds



DOB: February 6, 1990 In: Brantford, Ontario

First Hockey Memory: "My very first goal ever was on our net [smiles]. It was a breakaway [chuckles]. So that one always seems to come up. If we're talking hockey back home, just old memories. I was three or four, playing with my older brother (Michael). But also playing pond hockey back home is always a fun memory. There's a lot of memories, but those are the ones that stick out.”

Hockey Inspirations: "My parents, obviously, have always been there. When you're young -- those 6 a.m. practices, they're always up, taking you there, getting you to the rink, getting you dressed, going to tournaments all over the place. They've always inspired me to push harder to be better, to be my best self.”

First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: "I always remember I went to Rob Blake's Stanley Cup party when I was little. That was a pretty neat memory. (Neighbors?) Neighboring towns. My dad buys forklifts from one of his, I think, brothers, maybe his uncle. So that was pretty neat. My dad wouldn't let me touch the Cup though [chuckles]."

Greatest Sports Moment(s): "Gotta be scoring against the Rangers, game six in overtime (2012). Send the team to the Stanley Cup finals. There's been a couple of good ones, so. But that one always sticks out.”

Most Painful Moment: "Hmmm...I don't know...never thought of that one actually. There hasn't really been one yet. Hopefully there won't be one.”

Last Book Read: "How about first book I read because I don't know if there is one [chuckles]. I haven't read a book in years. I couldn't tell you what it was... what's the title of that one... Where The Red Fern Grows? The little boy and the hunting dog. Pretty good one. It was a while ago, that's for sure. Maybe I'll pick one up today now [chuckles]. (After interview I offer Adam my book 'Muhammad Ali: Portrait of a Champion' and he graciously and appreciatively accepts, adding, 'That's the man right there…')"

Favorite Rinks To Play: "Anywhere in Canada is always fun. It's always fun to play in Toronto — close to home — family's always at the games. Playing in Buffalo — family makes it to the game. So it's always fun heading north.”

Funniest Players Encountered: "Cam Janssens's gotta be up there. Krys Barch — pretty funny guy. Seems always to be the tough guys [smiles].”

Embarrassing Hockey Memory: "Scoring that first goal on your own net was pretty embarrassing. But it's pretty funny. Nothing too embarrassing.”

Strangest Game: "In the playoffs against the Rangers, we were late to a game. They ended up shutting down in the (Lincoln) Tunnel for us. That was pretty odd. And I guess, ended up being pretty neat. I think we ended up winning that game. Which is good. But it was pretty neat to see all that traffic — and they shut down a lane for you was pretty cool."

Current Car: "Camaro ZL1. (Color?) Black.”

Why Do You Love Playing Hockey: "Just wake up every day, have a chance to come to the rink and just play the game that you love. It's not really a job, it's our life, it's what I've grown up knowing and wanting to do since, you know, I was three years old. So it's just awesome to be able to have the chance to be able to play here every day.”

Favorite Sport Outside Hockey: "Badminton [smiles]. Dominated at badminton in high school. (Really?) No, I never played badminton. I played all different sports growing up actually. I like playing soccer in the summer time, always played with all my buddies. That was a lot of fun.”

Three Athletes You Like To Watch & Follow: "Steve Yzerman was my favorite player growing up. Love watching Joe Thornton. He’s always fun to watch. It's always fun to watch any of the top guys — Crosby, Ovechkin, they're just exciting players to watch.”

People Qualities Most Admired: "Just be down to earth, easy going. Just be nice to everybody. Everybody’s got something going on in their lives that you might not know. So you never know when you'll need that little reach out from somebody that maybe you don't know, so, it's just maybe, just be nice to everybody.”

Mark Scoop Malinowski's latest books "Facing Nadal" and "Muhammad Ali: Portait of a Champion" are available through Amazon.