Travis Zajac

Lore & Background

Zajac began his junior career with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL, where he led the team in goals, assists and points in his second season and was named MVP of the Interior Division. He then played college hockey for the University of North Dakota, helping the Fighting Sioux reach the Frozen Four in both of his seasons there. After his sophomore year, he signed an entry-level contract with the Devils, forgoing his remaining college eligibility. He made the Devils' opening night roster for the 2006–07 season and soon formed a productive line with fellow North Dakota alumnus Zach Parise and veteran Jamie Langenbrunner, a trio dubbed 'ZZ Pop(s).' Zajac developed into the team's number one centre and consistently improved his faceoff percentage, winning over 53% of his draws in his third season.

Junior Roots & The College Decision

Travis Zajac's path to professional hockey began in the British Columbia Hockey League, where he suited up for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Playing alongside future NHL players like Brady Murray and Kris Chucko, Zajac developed into a standout offensive force. By his second BCHL season, he led the Silverbacks in goals, assists, and total points, while finishing second in the entire league in both assists and points. That performance earned him the Interior Division MVP award and a berth in the BCHL All-Star Game.

His rising profile made him a projected first-round prospect for the 2004 NHL draft. Rather than following the more common route into Canadian major junior hockey, Zajac chose to attend the University of North Dakota, valuing the opportunity to pursue a college education alongside his development as a player. Then-Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello noted that the organization would keep a spot open for him on the UND roster, as they were calling up fellow draft pick Zach Parise to play professionally.

North Dakota & the Frozen Four

At North Dakota, Zajac became a central figure in a program that produced a remarkable run of talent. His freshman campaign yielded 17 goals and 19 assists with just 16 penalty minutes, and the Fighting Sioux advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four. Zajac was instrumental in the tournament, scoring two goals in the regional final against Boston College and adding two more in the 4-2 semifinal victory over Minnesota. Though the Sioux ultimately fell to Denver in the championship, Zajac's power-play goal to tie that game earned him a spot on the Championship All-Tournament Team, the East All-Tournament Team, and the WCHA All-Rookie Team.

The following season brought even greater production: 18 goals and 29 assists for 47 points. The roster featured a constellation of future NHL names, including Jonathan Toews and T.J. Oshie. North Dakota captured the Broadmoor Trophy as WCHA playoff champions and returned to the Frozen Four, where Zajac contributed three goals and three assists before a semifinal loss to Boston College.

Breaking Into the Devils

After forgoing his final two years of college eligibility, Zajac signed an entry-level deal with New Jersey and made an immediate impression. Following just two appearances with the AHL's Albany River Rats, he survived training camp cuts and was on the roster for opening night of the 2006-07 season. His first NHL goal came in the second game against Dallas. The Devils installed him on the second line with Zach Parise and veteran Jamie Langenbrunner, a unit nicknamed "ZZ Pop(s)" for the two Z's and the older wing's status.

Zajac's rookie year was productive: 17 goals, 25 assists, and 42 points, ranking seventh among all NHL rookies. He also recorded six power-play goals and an eight-game point streak in late March. In the 2007 playoffs, he collected his first post-season point with an assist against Tampa Bay and scored his first post-season goal in the semifinal against Ottawa. He finished tenth in Calder Trophy voting and won the Devils' Fan Club Rookie of the Year award.

A Career Defined by Consistency

Few players in modern NHL history can claim the kind of sustained presence Travis Zajac maintained with New Jersey. Over fifteen seasons, he logged more than 1,000 regular-season games for the Devils, a testament to both his durability and the franchise's commitment to keeping him as a cornerstone.

His reliability was striking: through the end of the 2010-11 season, Zajac had missed only two games in his entire professional career, both due to a leg injury in October of his rookie year. That level of availability made him a constant presence on the ice, whether centering the second line with Parise or stepping up to the top unit alongside Patrik Eliáš and Brian Gionta. His career eventually extended beyond New Jersey with a brief stint with the New York Islanders before his retirement, capping a journey that began with a 20th-overall selection in 2004 and spanned well over a decade and a half in the league.

Reader's Guide

Travis Zajac's legacy with the New Jersey Devils is defined by his durability, consistency, and two-way play over 15 seasons. He missed only two games in his first five professional seasons due to injury, and his ironman reliability made him a fixture at centre. Zajac's chemistry with Zach Parise and Jamie Langenbrunner formed the core of the Devils' offense for several years, with the line combining for 94 goals and 225 points in the 2008–09 season. He set career highs in goals (25), assists (42), and points (67) during the 2009–10 season, finishing second on the team in scoring.

His plus-minus improved dramatically from –11 in his second season to +33 in his third, tied for fourth in the league. Zajac also contributed on the power play, scoring six man-advantage goals as a rookie. After 15 years and over 1,000 games with the Devils, he retired following a brief stint with the New York Islanders.

Did You Know?

• Zajac was named to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team after the 2005 title game despite his team losing.