Devils to honor Patrik Elias Saturday with jersey retirement

The New Jersey Devils will celebrate former player Patrik Elias by retiring his No. 26 jersey.
The ceremony will take place Saturday before the game against the Islanders.
Elias, a Czech Republic native, played with the Devils for about 20 years and helped the team win two Stanley Cups. He is the team’s all-time leader in goals and assists.
His former teammates say that he was a tremendous player and deserves to be in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Elias’ choice to retire came around the same time current coach John Hynes started with the team.
"He was a guy I relied on as a coach. I would often call him about opinions of our team. Our style of play. Dealing with different players and he's always there,” Hynes says.
Elias missed all of last season as he was trying to return from a surgically-repaired knee. His last time in front of Devils fans was during his retirement ceremony.
"Last year was a little different because I didn't expect my family to be on the ice for that,” he says.
He says that it means “everything” to have been a New Jersey Devil.
Saturday’s ceremony will take place at 6:15 p.m. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m.