Scott Gomez
In the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Scott Gomez was selected with the 27th pick of the first round by the New Jersey Devils. He was the first Latino NHL player, as well as the first Latino ever drafted by an NHL team. At the time, he was playing for the Tri-City Americans of the WHL and had just been named to the WHL's All-Rookie Team. In the season after he was drafted, he scored 108 points in 58 games for the Americans.
In his rookie NHL season, 1999-2000, he scored 51 assists and 70 points for the Devils. For his efforts, he was awarded the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie and played in the NHL All-Star Game. Gomez scored 10 points in the 2000 NHL playoffs as the Devils won their second Stanley Cup.
Gomez would continue to produce good numbers throughout the next few years. The 2002-03 NHL season was an improvement for himself and the Devils. Gomez tallied 55 points and again helped the Devils win the Stanley Cup, this time scoring 12 points during the playoffs. The 2003-04 NHL season was an even better year for Gomez, as he scored 70 points, the most since his rookie year. He also tied for the NHL lead in assists, with 56. Gomez had his best season in 2005-2006, finishing with 84 points in 82 games, including 33 goals and 51 assists.
2006-2007 saw Gomez continue his form, as he developed into more of a leader for the Devils. He led the New Jersey Devils to the second round of the playoffs and totalled 60 points in the regular season. Gomez is known primarily for being a playmaker, as his ability to push a saucer pass to speeding wingers is legendary already. He has since added a tendency to keep the puck a bit longer and shoot on goal, which has only added to his points total. As long as Gomez continues to play smart hockey, he will put up reliable numbers.
Scott Gomez recently signed a lucrative contract with the New York Rangers and will likely play as their top line center in between Jaromir Jagr and the newly resigned Brendan Shanahan.
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