New Jersey Devils defenseman Steve Santini (Boston College) scored his first NHL goal on Thursday night at Edmonton, deflecting a shot by Taylor Hall past Cam Talbot (Alabama-Huntsville) with 51 seconds remaining in the second period at Rogers Place. The goal gave the Devils a 2-1 lead in an eventual 3-2 overtime loss to the Oilers. Blake Coleman (Miami) also made his NHL debut on Thursday for the Devils.
A native of Mahopac, N.Y., Santini made his NHL debut with the Devils in their 2015-16 regular season finale against Toronto in April, days after BC had been eliminated from the NCAA Frozen Four by Quinnipiac. He had played 15 games with Albany (AHL) this season before being called up to New Jersey, where he recorded two assists in his first five games for his first NHL points. He was originally drafted by New Jersey in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
The 6-foot-2 Santini, who skated two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program prior to enrolling at BC, ultimately played in 98 career NCAA games with the Eagles, scoring five goals and adding 30 assists for 35 points while amassing 122 penalty minutes, according to USCHO.com. He also helped BC to three NCAA Tournament berths, two Frozen Four appearances, and two Hockey East regular-season titles.
