It’s time for some HOCKEY…

Sports thrive in Hoboken. Witness all the bars packed full of fanatics during basketball, baseball, and soccer seasons. This time of year, football is king. But what sports fans might not know is that hockey is taking over the Mile Square City. That’s right, the New Jersey Devils are moving right in, and soon bars will be crowded with fans of a different kind.
The NJ Devils may not be having a season to brag about, but Hoboken can still be proud that four players on the team have chosen to call it home. Forwards David Clarkson (#23) and Zach Parise (#9), as well as defensemen Andy Greene (#6) and Mark Fraser (#2), have made homes for themselves right here in town – and hMAG was lucky enough to chat with the guys about it!

Meet the Devils

Early in November, I was invited to the Prudential Center in Newark (where the Devils play) to watch an early morning practice and interview two of the players who live in Hoboken, David Clarkson and Andy Greene. (Zach Parise and Mark Fraser were out injured and would be interviewed at a later date).

Let me begin by saying that I am a huge hockey fan and have been since before I can remember. When approached with the opportunity to interview some NHL players, I should have been ecstatic. But I am a fan of the New York Rangers – the biggest rival of the New Jersey Devils. I have season tickets and go to at least one game a week at Madison Square Garden. I’m one of the true blue fans. BUT, as a hockey fan, I accepted my mission and wound up warming up to the Devils I have always despised… that is, until they play the Rangers.

David Clarkson

On the ice, right-winger David Clarkson plays the tough guy, but this twenty-six year old from Toronto was a real softy when I spoke to him.

“I just moved here this year. I used to live in North Caldwell and West Orange before that,” Clarkson said. “I moved here and really like it. There are just so many things to do and a lot of Devils fans.”

Just off the ice after practice, Clarkson sat in the locker room with a smile on his face, looking as cute as ever. (Ladies – even if hockey is not your thing, you might want to look up David Clarkson. He’s swoon-worthy!) “Clarky”, as his teammates call him, explained his quest for the perfect Italian restaurant.

“I’ve been to, like, eight places, and I haven’t found a good Italian restaurant. I’m trying places out and can’t find a good lunch place. You know, once you lose a game you have to switch places!”

With the kind of season the Devils are having, Clarkson must be switching places a lot. But the two places he frequents without hesitation? “I go to Hoboken Bar and Grill and wander around uptown and make my way into Madison Bar & Grill.”

The NJ Devils and their fans are no strangers to Hoboken Bar and Grill, located at 230 Washington Street. Previous manager, Mike Citarella, held events to promote the team and grow the Devils’ fan base in Hoboken; the walls of the bar feature photos of current and former Devils. It’s a great place to watch games during hockey season, and all of the players living in town ranked it as their number one hangout.

Even with the Hoboken Bar and Grill dubbed a “Devils’ Bar”, Clarkson says fans in town often don’t recognize him, but he does remember one memorable occasion.

“There was a little kid playing baseball with his dad. As I walked by, the dad asked me if I could take a picture, so I did. I love kids. I was playing outside with him for like twenty minutes, but it was game day so I had to go after that!”

For Clarkson, it’s younger fans that make it exciting. In fact, Clarkson shows his appreciation for fans (young and old) through his charity, Clarky’s Kids, which raises money to cover hotel and transportation costs for the families of sick children in Canada.

“We raise about $68,000 a year for the 30-40 kids in the program. You see some sad stuff, and you see some good stuff. At the end of the day, it makes you feel better.”

It’s obvious that Clarky is devoted to his fans and his team. Maybe a knowledgable neighbor can find him a good lunch place in Hoboken that will bring the Devils some luck.

Andy Greene

Twenty-eight year old defenseman Andy Greene shares Clarkson’s appreciation of the Devils’ fans and exploring Hoboken.

“I moved here not long ago and I love it. It’s a change from when I was living in West Orange,” Greene said of Hoboken. “It’s a little more fun, a little more active, with a lot of people around the same age as me.”

Greene explained that, when time permits during the season, he and his teammates enjoy all that Hoboken has to offer. Beyond Hoboken Bar and Grill, Greene’s mission is to try every food joint.

“We’ve been trying to go everywhere, try everything out. There are so many places, and we’re trying to get a taste of it all. You can walk a block and swing by six different places. It’s great.”

Meeting with the guys in their locker room, it was obvious that they fit right in with Hoboken’s vibe. Their easy-going, friendly attitudes match those of many of the young men in town, and the big egos I’d imagined were nowhere to be found. In fact, upon learning I was a Rangers fan, Andy Greene jokingly promised, “Uh-oh, we won’t hold that against you.”

For Greene, it’s the love of the game and fans that keep the team going. “For how we’ve been playing, our fans have really been supporting us, doing everything they can. Now we need to do everything we can to show them we appreciate it.”

Mark Fraser

Even with an injured hand, twenty-four year old defenseman Mark Fraser attends every Devils home game. “No matter what the injury is, you want to be on the ice. We’re all here to compete and play. More than anything you want to contribute.”

Originally from Ottawa, Fraser grew up with hockey in his blood. “Hockey’s crazy up there. In Canada with hockey, you just start at a young age, and it came to a time where it was the obvious choice for me. It humbles you when you go home and your boys are so hockey-crazy and you’re the one that got to make it.”

Since hockey was always such a big part of his life, it’s only natural that Fraser’s teammates have become his friends and family. He made the move to Hoboken simply to “be around the gang.”

So where do they all hang out in town? It comes as no shock. “If we’re not at one of our own apartments, we go to Hoboken Bar and Grill.”

“You definitely want to be able to go somewhere where you’re comfortable, you’re treated well, and you don’t have to worry,” he added. “When you’re a guy like Zach [Parise], it’s a little bit of a bigger deal.”

With some of the downtime due to his injury, Fraser has found a few favorite spots in Hoboken. Fraser pointed to Grimaldi’s as the best spot for pizza, and admitted that he couldn’t resist dabbling in the selections at Carlo’s Bakery. “It’s funny, I witnessed the line that goes across the street to CVS – it’s crazier than a theme park ride!”

Although he does go back to Canada in the off-season to connect with family and friends, Hoboken has become a perfect fit for Fraser. “I’m a young single guy. I have the privilege to be doing what I love, and it’s nice to be surrounded by people in similar situations.”

“In Canada, you’re an A-list celebrity, but here I only get recognized by die-hard fans. I like that. There are so many other sports to compete with – and major teams as well, just in this small area – but it is nice that I can walk amongst the crowd and blend in.”

Zach Parise

Zach Parise, the Devils’ star winger (who played for Team USA in the Olympics last year) from Minnesota, has called Hoboken home since the beginning of March ’09. “I wish I knew about it sooner!” Like his teammate and neighbor Mark Fraser, Parise has been injured and taking advantage of his down time in Hoboken.

“Lately I’ve been going to 10th & Willow a lot. It’s fun and off the grid a bit,” Parise told me in his Minnesota accent. “I’ve been to McSwiggans and I want to try out the Village Pourhouse. And I’m a big Grimaldi’s guy. I tried the new one on Washington Street and was so happy the pizza tasted the same.”

As one of the Devils’ star players, his absence from the team is definitely noticed. Although his broken knee is healing, Parise probably won’t be back playing with his team until next season, giving him even more time to become a true Hobokenite.

Although the Devils have a solid group of loyal fans, they seem to be everywhere but Hoboken. “I always see people in Rangers jerseys hopping on to the train to the Garden. I wonder where all the Devils fans are. Every once in a while, I get recognized by fans which is always fun, but I don’t really have to worry about it. We can go out and not have to worry.”

Even if “blending” is a form of normality for the Devils in town, perhaps a show of recognition, support and pride from their fellow Mile Square residents is just what’s needed.

hMAG’s own editor and long-time Devils fan, Chris Halleron, weighed in on the athletes in town. “I'm glad they live here. If I saw them, I'd give a respectful nod and let them enjoy themselves. Hoboken's a great place for athletes – young, active and with plenty of ‘talent’ in its own right. There are too many Rangers and Flyers fans in this town already – help other Devils fans fight the good fight!”

Halleron’s advice for the Devils in Hoboken? “Stay out of the bars for now. Stay in shape, and you can drink from the Stanley Cup on hMAG's roof deck!”

Still have no clue about hockey? Learn more about the Devils and check out “Hockey 101” on devils.nhl.com for some helpful hockey basics!