“He is fearless” | Calgary Flames

NEWARK — Before kids, championships and chart-topping production, Blake Coleman had to pretend like everyone else had a dream.

Besides, he wasn't your typical bright-eyed, bushy-tailed young slob.

It took a long time for Travis Zajac and the New Jersey Devils to see that this young buck was invested differently than most.

So, when you think back to Coleman's offensive output — eight years into his career, no less — it wasn't surprising.

“Honestly, I'm not surprised,” said Zajac, the recently retired Devils legend who helped Coleman cut his teeth as a National Leaguer. “Sometimes you play a role where he's won a few trophies, as a third-string, scrappy player. But he scored big goals for Tampa, didn't he?

“Now, you get into those lanes and the puck starts finding you and you play with a little more confidence.

“But I'm not surprised by it.

“I think he's always had that ability. … He can go to tough spots, he can turn pucks over, he can do it with speed. And he is not afraid. He can get to all the dirty spots to score, and he has a great shot that can score from outside the paint.”

And Zayak would know.

The two played parts of four seasons together, beginning with Coleman's official NHL debut on January 12, 2017 – the night the 1,000-plus big league veteran hit his first goal of the game.

From that point on, the pair formed an iron-clad bond with Coleman, 24, absorbing everything he could from the 32-year-old winger. Over time, their off-ice bond transcended the locker room walls, and the two quickly became one of the game's great penalty-killing duos, much like Coleman and Egor Sharangovic are today's Flames.

But this does not surprise Zayak.

Not with the kind of person he is, with his leadership qualities and constant desire to bring everyone back together as part of the team's family unit.

Coleman, now 32, has taken it upon himself to take Sharangovic under his wing – on the eve of his 500th career spin: “I think when you care for someone, you instinctively play better, care and play for you. “Sharki” reminds me of myself at that age.

These are the values ​​that have been instilled in him thanks to Zajac's impeccable influence.