The Big Show: Nico Hischier There may not have been a bigger surprise for the New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/new-jersey-devils-utica-comets-spengler-cup-colton-white-nhl-ahl] this season than defenseman Johnathan Kovaceivc [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/kovacevic-looks-to-bring-his-physicality-and-hard-defensive-game-to-new-jersey-devils-blue-line]. The 27-year-old has flourished since arriving in New Jersey for training camp and found a home on the blue line playing alongside Jonas Siegenthaler [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/players/new-jersey-devils-jonas-siegenthaler-opens-up-about-his-concussion-new-york-rangers-matt-rempe]. After a recent morning skate, The Hockey News sat with Kovacevic for a mini Q&A. During the interview, he opened up about his love for the game, career trajectory, and more. The Hockey News: Lisa Kudrow has publicly spoken about how it took a few years to settle into her Friends character, Phoebe Buffay. How long did it take you to get comfortable and understand what it takes to be an NHLer, day in and day out? Johnathan Kovacevic: Probably three years. It is my third year, and I am just starting to get a little more comfortable now. I am more used to the schedule; that is the hardest thing to get used to, and I have seen every team a few times. I have been playing more this year, so I have a little more confidence. THN: Is there a particular moment in your career that you would love to show to your younger self to say this is going to be you in the future? Kovacevic: I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise. Part of the process is not knowing. My younger self knows what he is doing, at least a little bit. Not enough, but he will learn the hard way. THN: Was there ever a moment in your career when you started to lose your love for the game? Kovacevic: No. I think there are times when you are frustrated with your own game or maybe with your situation. I know last year I was healthy scratched a bunch, and at times, I felt stuck or frustrated. I feel like in a career, you want to keep moving forward, and at times, I felt stuck, but I don't think my love for the game was lost by any means. I have always loved the game of hockey. Sometimes, there is the business side of it that is frustrating, but I don't think I have ever lost my love for the game. If I didn't have that much love for it, I don't think I would be here because it has taken me a while to get here, and it was always my love for the game that pushed me farther. THN: What has hockey given you? Kovacevic: Everything, a way better life. It has given me an automatic 23 friends when I walk into a new city because these guys have to be my friends, so that is one thing. It has given me a scholarship and a college degree. It has given me so many life lessons, like how to work hard and how to be my best self. I really think that taking care of yourself in life makes you a better hockey player, and then being a better hockey player makes you a more complete person in life. I think that it all goes hand in hand. THN: At this point, does hockey feel like a job to you, or is it still your passion that you have had since you were a kid? Kovacevic: It feels like a passion. I don't think I would ever consider it work. We are coming in and playing the Boston Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/] tonight, and I would never consider it a nine-to-five job. I have worked a couple of different jobs, like at a grocery store and at a winery, and those felt like you are going to work and counting down the hours. For me, I am coming to the rink excited to play tonight. It is the best. I wouldn't really consider this a job. 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]' [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/features/hischiers-manager-patrick-fischer-hes-driven-to-succeed-but-not-easily-satisfied]
