Scott Gomez
Scott Gomez made history as the first Latino player to earn the NHL's Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie and went on to an outstanding 16-year professional career, winning two Stanley Cups and earning recognition as one of the game's elite playmakers.
The Anchorage, Alaska, native began his NHL career with the New Jersey Devils after being drafted 27th overall in the 1998 NHL Draft. His first year with the Devils in 1999-00 was one to remember, as he recorded 70 points in the regular season and helped lead the Devils to the Stanley Cup title.
Gomez continued to be a reliable contributor for the Devils through the 2006-07 season, collecting another Stanley Cup with the franchise in 2003.
During the 2004-05 NHL lockout, Gomez returned home to play for the ECHL’s Alaska Aces. His skill was on display for his hometown fans, as he collected 86 points in 61 games and earned honors as the league’s most valuable player.
Gomez joined the New York Rangers for the 2007-08 season and made an immediate impact, earning a trip to the 2008 NHL All-Star Game. He went on to have stints with the Montreal Canadiens, San Jose Sharks and Florida Panthers before returning to New Jersey in 2014-15. He played for both St. Louis and Ottawa during his final NHL campaign in 2015-16.
All total, Gomez played in 1,079 regular-season NHL games with 181 goals and 575 assists, good for 756 points. In addition, he competed in 149 playoff games with 101 points (29 goals, 72 assists), with his teams making the playoffs in 11 of his 16 seasons.
Internationally, Gomez was a member of the 2006 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team. He also was part of Team USA for the IIHF World Junior Championship in both 1998 and 1999 and at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.
Gomez, a member of the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame, is currently in his first season as the head coach of the USHL's Chicago Steel.