On Friday afternoon, Lisa Cotter sat in the stands of RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House and watched her son, New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/nj-devils-new-jersey-devils-washington-capitals-tomas-tatar-sheldon-keefe-brenden-dillon] forward Paul Cotter [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/new-jersey-devils-nj-devils-paul-cotter-nathan-bastian-jack-hughes-nico-hischier], practice with his team before departing for Washington, D.C. She was as outgoing as her son described, smiling as she shared stories and laughs with the moms around her. Lisa even helped the Devils' social media team by starring in her own TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@njdevils/video/7440227608882646302?lang=en]. "She is a talkative and bubbly person," Paul said of his mother. "She is the best, so I am sure they are all going to love her." Lisa was kind enough to take a break from watching her son on the ice to speak with The Hockey News about how Paul's hockey journey strengthened their bond. "What it has done for us is it has taken us on a journey together to handle whatever situation comes up," she said. "If it is positive, you enjoy it together because a mother feels what her son feels. If he is happy, we are happy; if he is sad, we are sad. "It is really going through the hard times, too, and talking (them) off cliffs," she continued. While it is important to nurture their child's love for the game and support them in their journey, Lisa explained that it is also essential to remind them that there is more to their identity than what they can do on the ice. "It is making them realize that they are not just a hockey player," she said. "That they are a wonderful son. They are a wonderful brother or uncle, something more than a hockey player. I think what that does is it makes them feel like they are a wonderful contributor to the family and are loved. It maybe takes the pressure off of the hockey journey." Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEwODQzNDc0NzU1MzMyMDcz/nhl--new-jersey-devils-at-washington-capitals.jpg] Paul is one of three children. He has a brother, Jack, and a sister, Mileena. "My brother, my sister, and I grew up in a home where our parents were very passionate about seeing us succeed in what we do," Paul said [https://www.nhlpa.com/news/1-22741/achievement-appears-genetic-in-competitive-cotter-family-bloodline]in an interview with NHLPA.com. Lisa believes that events like the mom's trip and allowing the players to spend time with their family during their hectic hockey season can serve as a reminder that they are more than their job; they are also people. It is a weekend when mom and son can reminisce and look back on their memories together, thanks to this beautiful and chaotic hockey journey. "I think we moms help them find joy in the game again because we remind them of the old times and the car rides. The only difference is they are driving now." The Big Show: Nico Hischier Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/] for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/new-jersey-devils-jesper-bratt-alexander-holtz-nico-hischier-andy-sward] EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With MSG Networks Host & Analyst Rachel Herzog [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/latest-news/exclusive-q-a-with-msg-networks-host-analyst-rachel-herzog-new-jersey-devils] Hischier’s Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He’s Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied' [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/features/hischiers-manager-patrick-fischer-hes-driven-to-succeed-but-not-easily-satisfied] Seamus Casey Scores First NHL Goal In Devils Global Series Finale [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/game-day/seamus-casey-scores-first-nhl-goal-in-new-jersey-devils-global-series-finale]
