Chicoism's - Thanks for the memories!
- Thread starter joeskow
- Start date
Team Concept
Registered User
Wow this is incredible. I was just going over Chico's career stats and discovered that he finished in 8th, 7th, and 6th for the Vezina trophy in 1981-1982, 1982-1983, and 1983-1984. Check out his stats compared to the other goalies!!!!
1984 Vezina Trophy New Jersey Devils
http://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/voting-1984.html#vezina
1983 Vezina Trophy New Jersey Devils
http://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/voting-1983.html#vezina
1982 Vezina Trophy Colorado Rockies
http://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/voting-1982.html#vezina
1984 Vezina Trophy New Jersey Devils
http://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/voting-1984.html#vezina
1983 Vezina Trophy New Jersey Devils
http://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/voting-1983.html#vezina
1982 Vezina Trophy Colorado Rockies
http://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/voting-1982.html#vezina
njdevils1982
Hell Toupée!!!
…and only 1 shutout in 198 games as a devil
a 2-0, 42 save effort vs the north stars….dec 17th, 1983….it would be the last shutout of his career.
he was also a part of the first shutout in devils history a couple of weeks before on dec 4th where he replaced low and made 17 saves in just over 39 minutes played for a 6-0 win over the wings…..both were home games.
Richer's Ghost
Bourbonite
and everything in between;
Thanks for it all Chico.
"talking to him before the game"
So awesome.
Wingman77
Registered User
- Mar 16, 2010
- 20,251
- 766
nj.com interview:
Q: What factored in your decision to retire? Is this just because you're 65?
Resch: “There are a number of reasons. My wife Diane – we've been married 41 years – her sister is not doing well with her cancer and we decided we should go back to Minnesota to live near her year-round. We have a home there in Brainerd, Minn., which is about three hours north of Minneapolis. My wife is from up that way in Emily. ... A bunch of factors came into this decision. I liked this job. I mean I loved it. But Kenny Daneyko's been waiting patiently. I'm thinking this maybe isn't just about me. The fans maybe want to identify with someone who is younger like Kenny. He won three Cups playing for the Devils. I just took all of that into consideration.â€
Q: You've been blessed having two long careers in hockey, one as a kid from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan who grew up to become a three-time All-Star goalie in the NHL and then another as a popular broadcaster. What are your emotions knowing this ride is ending?
Resch: "I played the game. I was a goalie coach and scout. I was a junior coach and general manager for awhile. I was a broadcaster. I kind of did it all. But things change. I've done this 18 years and I never missed a game. That's more than 1,300 games counting playoffs. I was the Devils' ironman."
Q: You've had a special relationship with the fans over the years. It started when played for the Devils and continued through your broadcasting career. Do you realize this decision will sadden a lot of Devils fans?
Resch: “Fans have been so nice to me. I’ve had them tell me over the years that they’ll cry when I leave. I know what it is. I’m the legacy, the connection, the bridge to the very first season.â€
Q: Does this decision have anything to do with the Devils’ recent struggles on the ice? They won three Cups and made the playoffs 19 of 21 years, and now have missed the postseason three times in four.
Resch: “Noooo!â€
Q: When did you tell MSG that you’d be retiring?
Resch: “The first part of this year.â€
Q: In your opinion, are the Devils in good hands with general manager Lou Lamoriello and head coach Pete DeBoer still in charge? Or do you think the organization needs to make big changes?
Resch: “I can’t comment on that. I can say this: I know the players and I polled them privately, and they like Pete.â€
Q: You had chemistry working with Hall of Famer Doc Emrick for years when he was with the Devils and also in recent seasons calling games with Steve Cangialosi. What’s your secret to broadcasting success?
Resch: “Well, I’ll tell you. Working with Doc for a lot of years, he told me, ‘The one thing you can control is enthusiasm. Sell what you’ve got.’ If it’s a cross-ice pass and a good one, he told me to say, ‘Hey, what a cross-ice pass! He saucered that thing through the neutral zone!’ I look at myself like a Phil Rizzuto. I’m quirky. I’m not real smooth. I’m insightful because I was a goalie. I can see things that really dictate why the goal was scored, but I’m not overly witty in coming up with original clichés. I kind of just played it straight up, and being with Doc helped. I would have quirky stuff that wasn’t really clear, then Doc would come in and clean it up and add humor, and then we could laugh. And we were really good friends. And Cangy and I have started to develop that, too.â€
Q: A lot of older people remember you as an Islander because you were the starting goalie when they began their rise to a dynasty and were on their first Cup team. But you also were an original Devil and then with them again for almost two decades in the booth. Do you consider yourself an Islander or a Devil?
Resch: “A Devil. If you pin me down for my beginning years, my formative years, I was an Islander. But I left and I wasn’t a star. You had Bossy, Trottier, Potvin, Smith. Those guys are the Islanders. With me in New Jersey, I was here at the beginning. That’s why I feel warm here.â€
Q: When you were playing for the Colorado Rockies, what are your memories of finding out the franchise would relocate to New Jersey?
Resch: “I was excited because I played on the Island. The early years were tough. We lost a lot of games. But we had good fans, the 7,500 or 8,000 who came to games. I was happy.â€
Q: You were around for the last two of the Devils’ three Stanley Cups and the biggest part of Martin Brodeur’s great career. That’s had to make this run extra special for you, right?
Resch: “Having been a goalie and seeing someone like Marty and seeing all the ups and downs, and seeing it live, that was the fun part. I like hockey players in general and they could make your job easier. Most times I felt they tried to give you something.â€
Q: What’s been the toughest part of broadcasting for you?
Resch: “I’ve got to go in that locker room. I’ve got people that I have to answer to and you’ve got to be very diplomatic. The hardest thing for me was balancing. I get letters and read bloggers saying I’m always defending Marty or I’m just a homer. Then I’ve got other ones who say I’m always talking about the other team and I should just stick to the Devils. You just can’t win. You’ve got the players. You don’t want to offend them or their wives. You’ve got a general manager that you see every day.â€
Q: So there’s a fine line there?
Resch: “What’s hard is if I go in-depth some people say, ‘What are you talking about?’ You’ve got to know your audience. They don’t want you to go too deep and they don’t want you to go to ‘surfacey.’ That’s the balance.â€
Q: You’re going to have extra time on your hands. What do you want to do with your life in retirement?
Resch: “I’m going to be busy. I do mission work and hockey schools for four of five weeks every summer. I go overseas to Slovakia and this Czech Republic. I’ve been doing that 16 years and I’ll still being all that. So that’s rewarding. But I’d also like to explore the Western states, the national parks. I haven’t done that yet because I’ve had smuch going on the summer.â€
Q: Would you like to stay involved with the Devils?
Resch: “I don’t know how I can do that without sounding self-serving, but would I like to do some part-time stuff? Absolutely. I love the Devils. Whether it would be with the team or whatever, I’d like to do something.â€
Q: What factored in your decision to retire? Is this just because you're 65?
Resch: “There are a number of reasons. My wife Diane – we've been married 41 years – her sister is not doing well with her cancer and we decided we should go back to Minnesota to live near her year-round. We have a home there in Brainerd, Minn., which is about three hours north of Minneapolis. My wife is from up that way in Emily. ... A bunch of factors came into this decision. I liked this job. I mean I loved it. But Kenny Daneyko's been waiting patiently. I'm thinking this maybe isn't just about me. The fans maybe want to identify with someone who is younger like Kenny. He won three Cups playing for the Devils. I just took all of that into consideration.â€
Q: You've been blessed having two long careers in hockey, one as a kid from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan who grew up to become a three-time All-Star goalie in the NHL and then another as a popular broadcaster. What are your emotions knowing this ride is ending?
Resch: "I played the game. I was a goalie coach and scout. I was a junior coach and general manager for awhile. I was a broadcaster. I kind of did it all. But things change. I've done this 18 years and I never missed a game. That's more than 1,300 games counting playoffs. I was the Devils' ironman."
Q: You've had a special relationship with the fans over the years. It started when played for the Devils and continued through your broadcasting career. Do you realize this decision will sadden a lot of Devils fans?
Resch: “Fans have been so nice to me. I’ve had them tell me over the years that they’ll cry when I leave. I know what it is. I’m the legacy, the connection, the bridge to the very first season.â€
Q: Does this decision have anything to do with the Devils’ recent struggles on the ice? They won three Cups and made the playoffs 19 of 21 years, and now have missed the postseason three times in four.
Resch: “Noooo!â€
Q: When did you tell MSG that you’d be retiring?
Resch: “The first part of this year.â€
Q: In your opinion, are the Devils in good hands with general manager Lou Lamoriello and head coach Pete DeBoer still in charge? Or do you think the organization needs to make big changes?
Resch: “I can’t comment on that. I can say this: I know the players and I polled them privately, and they like Pete.â€
Q: You had chemistry working with Hall of Famer Doc Emrick for years when he was with the Devils and also in recent seasons calling games with Steve Cangialosi. What’s your secret to broadcasting success?
Resch: “Well, I’ll tell you. Working with Doc for a lot of years, he told me, ‘The one thing you can control is enthusiasm. Sell what you’ve got.’ If it’s a cross-ice pass and a good one, he told me to say, ‘Hey, what a cross-ice pass! He saucered that thing through the neutral zone!’ I look at myself like a Phil Rizzuto. I’m quirky. I’m not real smooth. I’m insightful because I was a goalie. I can see things that really dictate why the goal was scored, but I’m not overly witty in coming up with original clichés. I kind of just played it straight up, and being with Doc helped. I would have quirky stuff that wasn’t really clear, then Doc would come in and clean it up and add humor, and then we could laugh. And we were really good friends. And Cangy and I have started to develop that, too.â€
Q: A lot of older people remember you as an Islander because you were the starting goalie when they began their rise to a dynasty and were on their first Cup team. But you also were an original Devil and then with them again for almost two decades in the booth. Do you consider yourself an Islander or a Devil?
Resch: “A Devil. If you pin me down for my beginning years, my formative years, I was an Islander. But I left and I wasn’t a star. You had Bossy, Trottier, Potvin, Smith. Those guys are the Islanders. With me in New Jersey, I was here at the beginning. That’s why I feel warm here.â€
Q: When you were playing for the Colorado Rockies, what are your memories of finding out the franchise would relocate to New Jersey?
Resch: “I was excited because I played on the Island. The early years were tough. We lost a lot of games. But we had good fans, the 7,500 or 8,000 who came to games. I was happy.â€
Q: You were around for the last two of the Devils’ three Stanley Cups and the biggest part of Martin Brodeur’s great career. That’s had to make this run extra special for you, right?
Resch: “Having been a goalie and seeing someone like Marty and seeing all the ups and downs, and seeing it live, that was the fun part. I like hockey players in general and they could make your job easier. Most times I felt they tried to give you something.â€
Q: What’s been the toughest part of broadcasting for you?
Resch: “I’ve got to go in that locker room. I’ve got people that I have to answer to and you’ve got to be very diplomatic. The hardest thing for me was balancing. I get letters and read bloggers saying I’m always defending Marty or I’m just a homer. Then I’ve got other ones who say I’m always talking about the other team and I should just stick to the Devils. You just can’t win. You’ve got the players. You don’t want to offend them or their wives. You’ve got a general manager that you see every day.â€
Q: So there’s a fine line there?
Resch: “What’s hard is if I go in-depth some people say, ‘What are you talking about?’ You’ve got to know your audience. They don’t want you to go too deep and they don’t want you to go to ‘surfacey.’ That’s the balance.â€
Q: You’re going to have extra time on your hands. What do you want to do with your life in retirement?
Resch: “I’m going to be busy. I do mission work and hockey schools for four of five weeks every summer. I go overseas to Slovakia and this Czech Republic. I’ve been doing that 16 years and I’ll still being all that. So that’s rewarding. But I’d also like to explore the Western states, the national parks. I haven’t done that yet because I’ve had smuch going on the summer.â€
Q: Would you like to stay involved with the Devils?
Resch: “I don’t know how I can do that without sounding self-serving, but would I like to do some part-time stuff? Absolutely. I love the Devils. Whether it would be with the team or whatever, I’d like to do something.â€
glenwo2
LINDY RUFF NEEDS VIAGRA!!
That was a really stupid question.
I mean Chico just said the reason he was calling it quits after he was asked the very first question of the interview.
Yup. He reads HFBoards.
Last edited:
Feed Me A Stray Cat
Registered User
Chico was a GM and talent evaluator? That's scary.
However he will definitely be missed. Just an enjoyable guy to listen to.
However he will definitely be missed. Just an enjoyable guy to listen to.
HobokenIrish
Registered User
I ended up on a tour of the arena a few weeks ago prior to a game. As they were taking us through the Platinum Lounge, we were stopped and I just happened to be standing next to Chico, I think he was finishing eating something naturally.
I said hello and he said hello back as if we were old friends. Asked how I was doing, proceeded to talk about the game and playoff chances. Could not have been nicer and he acted as if we were friends for life
I will definitely miss him. He could not have been nicer to fans
I said hello and he said hello back as if we were old friends. Asked how I was doing, proceeded to talk about the game and playoff chances. Could not have been nicer and he acted as if we were friends for life
I will definitely miss him. He could not have been nicer to fans
glenwo2
LINDY RUFF NEEDS VIAGRA!!
Yeah I know, Irish.
Normally, those in the announcer's booth tend to keep the fans at arm's length.
Chico was different. He *was*(and still is) a Fan and acted like one more often than he was a commentator.
I know Dano could be the same but he's more of a serious guy so I doubt he'd be all that talkative even if he managed to simply acknowledge someone who says hello.
Normally, those in the announcer's booth tend to keep the fans at arm's length.
Chico was different. He *was*(and still is) a Fan and acted like one more often than he was a commentator.
I know Dano could be the same but he's more of a serious guy so I doubt he'd be all that talkative even if he managed to simply acknowledge someone who says hello.
Wingman77
Registered User
- Mar 16, 2010
- 20,251
- 766
Doc:
Chico was certainly outgoing, he was a positive person, all these things everybody else has told you about him, but people came up to him because they knew they could. People fear rejection, especially from multimillion dollar athletes, which Chico would rush to tell you he never was, but that was the thing.
The greatest compliment I think anybody can pay somebody is: “I went up and I met him because I knew I could.” And I think that’s what happened. We had a line of people out there in the Meadowlands just like we did for those who could get in because of our new location (in the Fire Lounge at Prudential Center) being what it was. There were always people that wanted to see him.
Whoever decided that “Chico Eats” needed to vanish, I really missed that part of our telecast because, let’s face it: a good part of the show was covering the game, which is what we were there to do, but my brother and my step mom out in Indiana, they watched the show because not only did they care about the team, but they wanted to see where he was going to go and what he was going to eat that night.
Then, when they came out with the T-shirts that had all the boxes you could check on the back that was magnificent. But that was Chico in action because he’d have a trail of people along behind him and they all knew they could say something or come up to him because he was not a rejecter, he was an acceptor. And part of that is the choices that he’s made with his life and how his faith motivates his life.
So, that’s part of what Chico is about and I think the sidebar of that is it makes a person very approachable and if he’s got a personality that goes along with it, well, that’s just the best of all worlds.
(When he was still playing) he was real easy to talk with as an announcer talking to a goaltender because that’s a hard position to interview. You have pick your spots with day of game and all that. With Chico, you never had to pick your spot because if it was the day of a game he was going to not walk past you and tear past you, he was going to stop and say, “Doc, what are you doing?”
That was the best part of him and I think that was main part that I think most people that applauded him (Sunday) applauded him for. It’s similar to Nick Lidstrom in Detroit in that half of the reason people stood and gave him an ovation on the night that his No. 5 was retired was for what he did when he was there and the other half was for the kind of person he was. And I think that’s the same way with Chico. It might not even 50-50. He would waive his win-loss record and say it couldn’t have been 50-50. That’s the type of person he was.
And probably half the people that were standing had met him at one time or another or had talked to him at one time or another. That’s just a magnificent thing that you can’t legislate that. Either a guy has got that magnificent personality and that willingness to be a man of the people or he doesn’t. And he had it and that made it easier for all of us.
That’s what I think of coming from the minors where we used to get the players out to talk at service clubs and things. If we could ever get the fans instead of saying, “I’m going to go down to the hockey game,” to say, “I’m going to go down to see Mike and his players.” Or “I’m going to go down to see Brian Burke,” who was one of our better-spoken right wingers in Maine. Then, it became a first-name thing. “Well, I met him, I’m going to go down and see him play.”
And I think that was pretty much the way it was with Chico (during his playing days with the Devils). He was with the team at a time when the team was just not very good.
I’ll never forget we were outside the Calgary Flames locker room in one of the many coaching stops of Mike Keenan. You know with Keenan there has to be a statute of limitations before he’ll say anything about the past, but we were talking out there and I said, “You know, who was your goalie coach when you got to the final in ’87 against Edmonton?”
And he pointed to Chico and he said the reason Ronny Hextall had such a good year and ended up winning the Conn Smythe and all of that was that Chico was his goalie coach. “Even though he was the backup goaltender and we played him some”, he said that’s the reason.
Chico didn’t know what to say because this is Iron Mike saying this, but I think that’s probably part of the reason why he was so good with all of us because everybody likes to occasionally have an ear and you know that Chico, even though he was a great talker, he was a good listener when he knew there was something on your mind.
In Joyce and I’s case, it was the ill-fated dog thing we had right around the Olympics one year (2002). We were in communication with Chico and Diane every day from out in California where we were just trying to save this dog at a hospital. You just knew in time like that he was going to be your friend because he was all the other times.
I remember going to a fan club meeting and I said, “I’m sure that God put Chico in my path to make my life better because he’s the closest thing to a saint that I’ve met.” And it got back to him and Chico saw me the next day and he says. “Oh Doc, don’t say that. I’m by far not a saint.” Well, to me you were.
These are all things that you can remember after 15 years or so working with the guy.
http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/mike_emrick_chico_resch_is_a_man_of_the_people_and_a_good_friend/#sthash.1X0AJmMU.dpuf
Chico was certainly outgoing, he was a positive person, all these things everybody else has told you about him, but people came up to him because they knew they could. People fear rejection, especially from multimillion dollar athletes, which Chico would rush to tell you he never was, but that was the thing.
The greatest compliment I think anybody can pay somebody is: “I went up and I met him because I knew I could.” And I think that’s what happened. We had a line of people out there in the Meadowlands just like we did for those who could get in because of our new location (in the Fire Lounge at Prudential Center) being what it was. There were always people that wanted to see him.
Whoever decided that “Chico Eats” needed to vanish, I really missed that part of our telecast because, let’s face it: a good part of the show was covering the game, which is what we were there to do, but my brother and my step mom out in Indiana, they watched the show because not only did they care about the team, but they wanted to see where he was going to go and what he was going to eat that night.
Then, when they came out with the T-shirts that had all the boxes you could check on the back that was magnificent. But that was Chico in action because he’d have a trail of people along behind him and they all knew they could say something or come up to him because he was not a rejecter, he was an acceptor. And part of that is the choices that he’s made with his life and how his faith motivates his life.
So, that’s part of what Chico is about and I think the sidebar of that is it makes a person very approachable and if he’s got a personality that goes along with it, well, that’s just the best of all worlds.
(When he was still playing) he was real easy to talk with as an announcer talking to a goaltender because that’s a hard position to interview. You have pick your spots with day of game and all that. With Chico, you never had to pick your spot because if it was the day of a game he was going to not walk past you and tear past you, he was going to stop and say, “Doc, what are you doing?”
That was the best part of him and I think that was main part that I think most people that applauded him (Sunday) applauded him for. It’s similar to Nick Lidstrom in Detroit in that half of the reason people stood and gave him an ovation on the night that his No. 5 was retired was for what he did when he was there and the other half was for the kind of person he was. And I think that’s the same way with Chico. It might not even 50-50. He would waive his win-loss record and say it couldn’t have been 50-50. That’s the type of person he was.
And probably half the people that were standing had met him at one time or another or had talked to him at one time or another. That’s just a magnificent thing that you can’t legislate that. Either a guy has got that magnificent personality and that willingness to be a man of the people or he doesn’t. And he had it and that made it easier for all of us.
That’s what I think of coming from the minors where we used to get the players out to talk at service clubs and things. If we could ever get the fans instead of saying, “I’m going to go down to the hockey game,” to say, “I’m going to go down to see Mike and his players.” Or “I’m going to go down to see Brian Burke,” who was one of our better-spoken right wingers in Maine. Then, it became a first-name thing. “Well, I met him, I’m going to go down and see him play.”
And I think that was pretty much the way it was with Chico (during his playing days with the Devils). He was with the team at a time when the team was just not very good.
I’ll never forget we were outside the Calgary Flames locker room in one of the many coaching stops of Mike Keenan. You know with Keenan there has to be a statute of limitations before he’ll say anything about the past, but we were talking out there and I said, “You know, who was your goalie coach when you got to the final in ’87 against Edmonton?”
And he pointed to Chico and he said the reason Ronny Hextall had such a good year and ended up winning the Conn Smythe and all of that was that Chico was his goalie coach. “Even though he was the backup goaltender and we played him some”, he said that’s the reason.
Chico didn’t know what to say because this is Iron Mike saying this, but I think that’s probably part of the reason why he was so good with all of us because everybody likes to occasionally have an ear and you know that Chico, even though he was a great talker, he was a good listener when he knew there was something on your mind.
In Joyce and I’s case, it was the ill-fated dog thing we had right around the Olympics one year (2002). We were in communication with Chico and Diane every day from out in California where we were just trying to save this dog at a hospital. You just knew in time like that he was going to be your friend because he was all the other times.
I remember going to a fan club meeting and I said, “I’m sure that God put Chico in my path to make my life better because he’s the closest thing to a saint that I’ve met.” And it got back to him and Chico saw me the next day and he says. “Oh Doc, don’t say that. I’m by far not a saint.” Well, to me you were.
These are all things that you can remember after 15 years or so working with the guy.
http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/mike_emrick_chico_resch_is_a_man_of_the_people_and_a_good_friend/#sthash.1X0AJmMU.dpuf
Sarge18
Registered User
- Feb 17, 2007
- 1,432
- 104
The difference between Dano and Chico is that Dano is a company man. After the 10-11 season Chico spoke at the April fan club meeting and just blasted everybody and was brutally honest about the disaster of a season we just witnessed. He was calling for Lou's head and questioning some of the brutal signings he made. The next month Dano was the guest and I was excited to see his take on things and he was the total opposite of Chico. He was very guarded of what he said, didn't criticize anything for the most part, and was more about promoting the team. We left that meeting disappointed.
tr83
Nope, still embarassed
Dano's probably got some friends on the team. He's not going to blast Marty and Patty.
I'm sure in a few years, he'll have no problem being a little more forward.
glenwo2
LINDY RUFF NEEDS VIAGRA!!
Well Chico certainly had a lot of leeway to say whatever was on his mind due to his LOOOOOOONG-time association with the Devils.
I guess so long as he didn't say those "grievances" on the air during a live Devils Broadcast, it was fine.
I think Dano is the same but as you said, he may keep his personal opinions a bit closer to the vest than Chico. But I doubt that whatever Status-Quo Spiel he dishes out would reflect what he personally thinks of the situation.
In today's society, employees are afraid of saying anything critical of their company for fear of getting reprimanded at best, fired at worst. I think Dano is of the same ilk now.
Richer's Ghost
Bourbonite
given Chico night is fast approaching - thought it time to reminisce with some favorite Chicoisms.
Jersey Man
Mad Dog
DenisSamson3
Registered User
- Sep 13, 2007
- 8,538
- 53
Will Chico be the Hulk Hogan of the Devils broadcast? Make returns every 2-3 months to get rating up.
Devils Dominion
Now we Plummet
The 29th Pick
Still Alive !
That was a really stupid question.
I mean Chico just said the reason he was calling it quits after he was asked the very first question of the interview.
Yup. He reads HFBoards.
I interviewed him. He told me directly on the phone he reads HF, the Devils FB group and NJDevs.
Emperoreddy
Show Me What You Got!
Chico - if you're reading this somewhere in Minnesota sipping a warm cup of hot chocolate on a cool autumn morning. Thank you. Thank you for being by far the most entertaining color commentator I've ever had the pleasure of listening to for years and years. Thank you for your kindness and thank you for all the amazing memories. The Devils broadcast will never, ever be the same.
You were the best in the game behind that microphone. Enjoy retirement, and God bless.
You were the best in the game behind that microphone. Enjoy retirement, and God bless.
