Travis Zajac signs 1-day contract, retires with New Jersey Devils

Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Veteran center Travis Zajac signed a one-day contract Monday to retire with the New Jersey Devils.

The 36-year-old Zajac played all but 13 of his 1,037 career games with the Devils, who traded him to the New York Islanders last season.

"As I stand here nearing the end of 2021, I can only be grateful to sign one last time, and retire as a New Jersey Devil," Zajac said in a statement. "As a kid playing hockey on the outdoor rinks in Winnipeg, I dreamt about playing in the NHL. Growing up the oldest of four boys, it was the perfect hockey environment.

"Thanks to my parents' unwavering support in our lives, that dream became a reality. Then, I got to live that childhood goal for 15 years with the Devils."

Zajac is remaining with the Devils in an on/off-ice player development and consulting role, according to the team, while also working to grow the franchise's youth hockey initiatives.

"His training, discipline and focus rubbed off on every player who walked into that locker room over his 15-year career," Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said. "I look forward to Travis working with our organization, on his terms and his timeline, in a manner that influences future Devils in the same manner when he played.

"We are ecstatic to know we will see the Zajac family around the Prudential Center rinks for years to come."

The Devils selected Zajac with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2004 draft. He recorded 203 goals and 349 assists over his career.