ALJ Hockey's Sal DeMarzo Receives NJ Devils Award

Arthur L. Johnson hockey player Salvatore DeMarzo was the recipient of the Devils Player of the Month Award for February.

Each month, December through February, six student-athletes, one from each of six different conferences, are selected as recipients of the prestigious New Jersey Devils Player of the Month Award.

DeMarzo, who was also led his Crusader teammates on an incredible run straight to the Union County Finals, the eventual New Jersey State Champion. DeMarzo finished this year with 44 goals and 29 assists for a total of 73 points. In his career he finished with 149 goals and 117 assists for a total of 266 points.

DeMarzo's career will continue next year as he will be playing Ice Hockey Juniors for the Walpole Express next season.

"Salvatore is one of those special young men and players that do not come around often," said Coach Michael Nudo. "Whenever a coach has a a player as good as Sal it makes the hockey season a lot of fun. At times, I would catch myself just marveling at what he does on the ice. Sal has appeared in more championship games than any other player to date in the 20 years of the Arthur L. Johnson Ice Hockey program. It will be a long time before we see a player like Sal again."

Winners for the Devils Player of the Month are based on nominations received from varsity ice hockey coaches throughout the state and voted on by local media. Award winners and their guests receive tickets to a Devils game, a plaque presented by a Devils player, and dinner compliments of the Devils. The 2011-12 season marks the 19th season that the Devils are honoring high school student-athletes.