On the eve of the 19th Anniversary of the New Jersey Devils winning their first Stanley Cup, I was honored to be able to speak with a member of that 1995 Cup-winning team, Tom Chorske. Tom played eleven NHL seasons, accumulating career totals of 115 goals and 122 assists, totaling 237 points, in 596 regular season games, adding 5 goals and 12 assists in 50 playoff contests. The former left winger currently resides with his family in Minnesota.
Jeff Howard: Having grown up in Minnesota, the State of Hockey, was there anyone that you looked up to, or aspired to be like when you were a child?
Tom Chorske: I was influenced heavily by the University of Minnesota Golden Gopher program growing up in the 1970s, but what really got me excited about the sport of hockey was the Miracle on Ice (USA winning gold in 1980 Olympics). That team was full of Minnesotans so I was obviously paying attention to that. As far as the NHL went, I always loved watching Wayne Gretzky early in his career and remember having a Guy Lafleur poster up on my bedroom wall.
JH: After an incredible high school career at Minneapolis Southwest High School, you were named the first Mr. Hockey in 1985, an award that goes to the state’s most outstanding high school player. What was that like for you?
TC: Hockey is a big deal in Minnesota and that was the inaugural year that this award was given out. To be recognized statewide as the best individual player was pretty cool. The coolest thing was at the presentation, it was Herb Brooks, Coach of the 1980 USA Olympic team that handed me the award. I was chosen among six finalists, one of which was Todd Richards, the current coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
JH: Shortly thereafter, that same summer you were selected 16th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL Entry Draft. What was it like to hear your name called?
TC: I knew it was a big deal, especially as I was chosen higher than had been projected. I was actually surprised when Montreal picked me because prior to the draft I had spoken with 8-10 teams and Montreal wasn’t one of them. Nonetheless, to be picked by such a storied franchise was such an honor.
JH: After being drafted you attended, and played for the University of Minnesota for two years. What was the period like for you between getting drafted and finally lacing them up for Montreal in 1991?
TC: At that time it was different. Amateurs were still playing in Olympics, and my main focus during that time period was trying out for the USA team in 1987. The way I looked at it was I’ve got freshman and sophomore year to train and prepare for tryouts for the 1988 Olympic team. Making that team was on my bucket list, but unfortunately I was the last player cut from the team which was obviously disappointing. I got very close and didn’t quite make it. So at that point I went back to the University of Minnesota for one more year and that year we lost in the National Championship. If you play sports long enough, any athlete can point back to their two or three setbacks/disappointments which became motivating factors. Just missing the 1988 Olympic team and losing in the National Championship were mine.
JH: Your first NHL game…what was it like?
TC: I have a general memory of that night, pulling on the Montreal sweater for the first time, about to step onto the ice at the Montreal Forum. Games at the Forum were a nationwide thing on Hockey Night on Canada. It was when I first stepped onto that ice it really hit me, the huge sense of tradition that came with Montreal, with numerous Hall of Famers and so many Stanley Cups. Early in my career with Montreal I recall one night when we were playing the Edmonton Oilers. I remember seeing Wayne Gretzky on the ice during pre-game warmups. I kept taking a peek at him. It was exhilarating, my heart was pumping so fast. My coach at the time, Pat Burns, called me over to the bench and told me that part of the game plan to shut down the Great One, was that if I was on the ice, and Wayne was on the ice, it was my responsibility to get off the ice. Pat said shutting him down was the job of a veteran, like Guy Carbonneau, not a rookie like me.
JH: After two seasons in Montreal you joined the New Jersey Devils. In 1994, the team came very close to the Stanley Cup Final, losing to the Rangers in Game 7 of the ECF. Then the lockout occurred and you played in Italy until it was settled. What was that shortened regular season like for you and the team, to get back out there after such a long time removed from being so close just one year prior?
TC: Coming back I was very excited to have the opportunity to get back after it (attempting to win the Cup). It was time for us to finish what we started and we didn’t look at the extended break as a bad thing. We were a confident bunch that was one year older, and one year wiser and even more determined.
JH: 19 years ago tomorrow you helped win the New Jersey Devils their first Stanley Cup. Being a member of that incredible team, what was that like for you?
TC: Highlight of my career. Looking back it was such a successful season, that it really didn’t feel like a shortened one. We all set goals at the beginning of each season, with that goal obviously being to win the Cup. But once it happens and you hoist the Cup, you realize it was not just the goal for that season, but the goal for your whole life, your dream coming true.
JH: You played for 7 NHL teams during your NHL career…aside from winning the Cup with New Jersey, was there anything that made that group extra special or unique for you as compared to the other teams you played for (Montreal, Ottawa, New York Islanders, Washington, Calgary, Pittsburgh)?
TC: You can’t win the Cup unless you have a high level of chemistry/synergy with each other. While 1994 was disappointing, it was also galvanizing. As a team we established a culture during my four years with New Jersey that was such an ascend on winning the Cup. A culture was established in New Jersey that really thrived for a number of years afterward. We figured out a formula that worked and the team was successful in winning two more Cups not too long after that.
JH: You are now an analyst for Fox Sports North covering both Minnesota Wild and Golden Gopher hockey games. How are you enjoying it?
TC: Right. I am the pre- and post-game analyst for the Minnesota Wild games with some sideline reporting as well. For the Gopher games, I am the in-game analyst. Both are a lot of fun and it keeps me around the game. While the skill level is not as high with the college games, they do train like professionals and are now just as physically gifted as the pros, competing at a high level, which is a lot of fun to cover.
The Wild had a couple of tough years, but the signing of Zach Parise, which I know as a Devils fan you don’t like to hear, as well as the signing of Ryan Suter, added a lot of excitement to the organization.
JH: Finally, I have to ask, have you gotten swept up in the World Cup fever?
TC: I have been actually been watching a little bit. I went to one of the World Cup games that took place at Giants Stadium in 1994. I saw Mexico play Hungary, which was a really cool experience. My kids are playing soccer here within our community. You can say I’ve become a bandwagon fan. Us hockey guys laugh a lot at the flopping going on by the soccer guys, but I’m enjoying it.
JH: Thanks so much for your time Tom, and thanks for the memories.
TC: Any time, you got it.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @RednBlackHky. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter –@LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Don’t forget to check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert for the latest in NHL injuries.
Main Photo:
Main Photo:
