“This is something I wanted for him,” Ken said as he grilled chicken for the family. “I saw how hard he worked, and this is something he wanted. I don’t know. It’s like the gold medal and this, you’re really kind of putting your stamp on the game a little bit. It’s just cool.”<\/p>\n
Kristen remembered all the ups and downs over the years — from USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program to the University of Michigan to the NHL. Zach had to overcome a lot before he set an NHL career high with 82 points (23 goals, 59 assists) in 81 games last season, when he was the runner-up for the Norris, and followed it up with 81 points (22 goals, 59 assists) in 75 games this season.<\/p>\n
“It means the world,” Kristen said. “He’s an athlete. He’s a competitor. He strives. He works so hard — and through injuries. I mean, my god, the last 10 years, he’s had so many injuries, and for him to have two successful seasons the last two years, injury-free, it’s like, he could really show what he can do.<\/p>\n
“But I don’t even think he thinks about that. I think he just goes out and does what he does, and that’s why we’re so grateful as parents to see this happen for him.”<\/p>\n
Odette said Zach isn’t emotional and never brings a bad game home. But she’ll be in bed when he gets under the covers, and she’ll hear him watching his shifts on his phone — pausing, rewinding, analyzing to see how he can improve. She watches the offseason workouts, all the times he goes to the rink on days off.<\/p>\n
“It’s just special to see all that hard work pay off and for him to be honored in this way,” Odette said. “Yeah, it means a lot to me, too, because being on the inside, it’s so much more than people know and how much goes into it.”<\/p>\n
* * * * *<\/p>\n
Zach carried the trophy around the pool, set it on a table on the patio and began studying the names he would join. There were guys he grew up watching, like Lidstrom, Chris Chelios<\/a> and Brian Leetch<\/a>. There were guys he has played with and against in the\u00a0NHL and internationally, like Cale Makar<\/a> and Quinn Hughes<\/a>.<\/p>\n “You are in good company here, my friend,” Ken said.<\/p>\n