Blake Coleman was selected by the Devils 75th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

On Feb. 16, 2020, New Jersey Devils forward Blake Coleman walked into Prudential Center with his father, Rusty, who was in town for the team's annual Father's Trip.

It was business as usual until general manager Tom Fitzgerald stopped him by the loading dock.

"My dad and I walked in together, and (Fitzgerald) pulled me over and told me I had to go back home (because I had been traded)."

At the time, the move came as a surprise to Coleman.

"Everything I had heard, I was sticking around Jersey for the foreseeable future," he said. "It was one of those things that Fitzgerald said it was too good of a deal to ignore, and that's how this business goes."

New Jersey received Nolan Foote and a 2020 first-round pick in exchange for Coleman. With that pick, New Jersey selected Shakir Mukhamadullin.

The trade ended up being one of the best things that could have happened to Coleman, who won consecutive Stanley Cups with the Lightning and welcomed two healthy daughters into the world.

"Life has been pretty good," he said with a laugh. "I never have regrets in life or think of what ifs. I just look forward, and obviously, a lot of good things came out of (the trade)."

"Two Cups. Two girls."

Coleman was in Tampa for a little over a calendar year. He debuted in Feb. 2020 and signed with the Calgary Flames as a free agent in July 2021.

The Plano, Texas native describes his time with the Lightning as quick and eventful, saying it was crazy how much was accomplished.

At the time, Fitzgerald assured Coleman he would be going to a good team, and clearly, it all worked out for the now 32-year-old.

"He had good foresight," he said with a smirk.

After a memorable experience in Tampa, Coleman moved on to the Flames for a new chapter of his professional career. He is currently in his third season with the club and is having a career year, reaching the 40-point mark for the first time.

When asked what was working so well for him this season, he credited chemistry with his linemates and being around the game for as long as he has.

"I guess you get a little savvier as you get older and kind of learn the game."

He may be older and wiser now, but when he donned the Devils crest and skated onto the ice at Prudential Center, he was a 25-year-old rookie who had older players like Travis Zajac take him under his wing and show him the ropes.

It was no surprise that Coleman used the word special when reflecting on his time in New Jersey.

"Obviously, it is where I was brought up in the league," he said. "A lot of good people that treated me really well. (I have) nothing but good things to say about my time here. I always speak really highly of it."

Thursday marks his sixth game against the team that drafted him. Coleman enters tonight's game with two assists and is still waiting on that first goal against the Devils.

Puck drop between the Flames and Devils is 7:00 P.M. The game will be broadcast on MSGSN. Fans can also listen on the Devils Hockey Network.

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