NHL STANLEY CUP FINALS: STARS v DEVILS

June 10, 2000

Ken Daneyko

KEN DANEYKO: I mean, for some reason it seems to have more of a special feeling. I mean, the first one was kind of a whirlwind, obviously the shortened season and everything, but you know, it was unbelievable, don't get me wrong, but the second one I always said, I know for me personally, cherish it a little bit more. I understand the sacrifice, dedication, everything that the guys on this team went through and obviously it was special for me. Dr. McMullen is selling the team and this is something that I really wanted to dedicate to him from my heart. I know a lot of other guys felt the same way. He deserved to go out a champion. It certainly was unbelievable.

KEN DANEYKO: I will tell you, I said it all Playoffs, I never seen the look in Scotty's eye like this ever. He has been a great defensemen and probably going to be a Hall of Famer one day but he had something this year that I'd never seen from Day-1. Just the look he was -- the way he worked in practice everyday and he was a guy that set the tone every series. He was kind of like jump on my back fellows because I am going to carry you and that is exactly what he did and he certainly deserved the Conn Smythe and I think that puts to rest Scotty Stevens' leadership ability because he is one of the best leaders I have ever seen.

KEN DANEYKO: Sure, hey, everybody has got the role, realize. That it takes 24, 25 guys from the scouting staff, Dave Conte and Hoffmeyer and the guys that log all those miles and find the Rafalalskis and brings in the Maddens and Lou Lamoriello making the trades he did for Malakhov and Mogilny, finding all the right pieces, it takes every single guy and we understand the guys, the foot soldiers, myself, a guy like Colin White, coming in doing what he did was just unbelievable and I think that is a big reason why this team won the championship because everybody knew their role and they didn't try to step out of it.

KEN DANEYKO: I am not going to lie, this is the greatest thing that since my kids being born, I will tell you winning this Cup this second time around, be really able to cherish this one and understand what it takes and obviously with some stuff in my personal life, what I have been through, just makes it all worthwhile. I just thank God the organization stuck with me and Lou and Dr. Mac and all I can do only -- (inaudible) my wife and me going out on that ice and giving it my all every night. It makes everything all worthwhile. I am just grateful of the New Jersey Devils right now.