Herning, Denmark- The 2017-18 season proved an eventful one for New Jersey Devils forward Brian Gibbons. After toiling in mostly in the American Hockey League since his graduation from Boston College in 2011, the Braintree, MA, native enjoyed his first full NHL season. Upon the conclusion of the season, he packed his bags and flew out to Denmark for his first appearance with the US National Team since his time at Thayer Academy.

“I think I wore a USA jersey when I was 16 or 17 for a festival, but it’s been a long time now. I didn’t expect the call this year,” he recalled during the tournament. “After the season ended, I was packing up and received the call. I jumped on the opportunity right away. I’m not taking it for granted. It’s something I’m appreciating each and every day and I’m happy to be here.”

Gibbons’ career has seen him make many stops, but familiar faces were never in short supply.

After three years at Thayer, he transferred to Salisbury School, but continued to play fall hockey for the Cape Cod Whalers. While never considered a superstar, even in the prep ranks, Gibbons knew he was good enough to realize a childhood dream of playing in the storied Beanpot tournament, and even won the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award as a freshman in 2008.

“My college decision came down to Boston College and Boston University,” he recalled, echoing the thoughts of thousands of players before and after him. “Those were the only the two schools I followed growing up and I was lucky to have that choice.”

Ultimately, his time with the Whalers and Thayer Academy pushed him toward BC.

“With BC, I was more familiar with a lot of the guys who I had gone to high school with, especially Anthony Aiello and Andrew Orpik were there, so that made my decision easier. I think I made the right decision,” he stated.

Although Gibbons was not drafted before enrolling at BC, he enjoyed a college career for the ages, as the NCAA Hockey world was dominated by the Beanpot schools.

“We won the national championship my freshman year and my junior year,” said Gibbons. “BU won it in between those two years, so there was a lot of great hockey being played in Boston.”

After graduation, Gibbons signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins but was immediately assigned to their AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton. He played respectably in his first two seasons, totaling sixty points. His third season, however, allowed him to realize another childhood dream: playing in the National Hockey League.

“It was special,” he said, referring to his NHL debut. “I still remember I was watching football with some of the boys in Wilkes-Barre and [WBS Penguins Head Coach John] Hynes called me and told me I would be playing in Pittsburgh the next night. It was a very exciting time, it’s what I had worked for my whole life. You never know if it will come, but I was fortunate enough to get the chance.”

Once the season ended, he signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he split time between the NHL club and the AHL’s Springfield Falcons.

Prior to the 2016-17 season, Gibbons saw himself on the move again, this time to the AHL’s Albany Devils. After posting 16 goals and 20 assists (36 points) in the Devils’ 72 games, he earned a promotion to New Jersey for last season.

While any player will note that the gap between the NHL and AHL is a large one, the transition was eased by more than a few familiar faces. Gibbons previously played for the Devils’ head coach John Hynes in Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton, and in the locker room, he saw former Whalers and Eagles Miles Wood, Cory Schneider, Brian Boyle, and Jimmy Hayes.

“Part of me expected to see [former Whalers coach Rob Griffin] running our first practice,” he quipped.

“Anytime you know guys going into a new team, it helps. It feels more comfortable right away because you don’t have that adjustment period. I had a good year this year, getting to play with some guys I know, especially Jimmy Hayes. He’s one of my best friends and I’ve known him for a long time. We’ll be in each other’s weddings this summer, so to spend a year with him, to go through the grind of an NHL season together was a lot of fun and I’ll never forget it.“

While Coach Griffin has left the team, Gibbons has no reservations about the team’s direction in the future as two familiar faces, Andrew Orpik and Matt Price, have found their way behind the bench. Having played with both at Boston College, as well as Orpik at Thayer and with the Whalers, Gibbons is quick to endorse the Whalers’ coaching staff.

“Andrew [Orpik] and Matt [Price] are two really great guys and for them to volunteer their time, to give back, to help some of these young guys growing up and help grow their games and teach them things they learned through the college and pro game, it shows what type of guys they are,” stated Gibbons. “Any kids who get the chance to learn from them are lucky. It’s something I had under Rob Griffin, he coached a lot of guys who were on the Devils with me there. It’s a great program and I know it’s in great hands with those guys.”