Devils duo surprises Randolph's championship hockey team

RANDOLPH – Damon Severson was totally surrounded.

In fact, the New Jersey Devils' 6-foot-2 rookie defenseman almost disappeared into the crowd of exuberant Randolph High School ice hockey players.

A few feet away, veteran Martin Havlat just shook his head, predicting his young teammate would stickhandle, not fight, his way out of the situation.

Severson and Havlat ambushed the Rams on Wednesday afternoon in recognition of their NJSIAA Public A championship. Randolph defeated Howell, 2-1, on a third-period goal by senior Matt Bruno. It was the Rams' seventh state title in the past decade, and Bruno's third during his high school career.

Devils players also made surprise appearances at two elementary schools, two ice rinks, and St. Barnabas Hospital on Wednesday.

"It's a little crazy," Bruno said, summarizing his reaction to both the state title and the Devils' visit. "It's fun meeting professional athletes, especially a veteran in the league. We look up to (Severson) the most. It's just crazy how he experienced it firsthand."

Devils radio color commentator Sherry Ross introduced the two groups of players to each other, but first displayed her own Randolph 'R,' earned for lacrosse in 1972. Ross, a member of the high school's Hall of Fame, was part of the first girls' class to receive varsity letters. The Randolph hockey players, who had been chatting with each other before Severson and Havlat walked in, were suddenly tongue-tied in the presence of the NHL players.

Severson joked, "I try to make it as easy on them as possible. We're just people, just another guy in the world."

Asked whether he'd consider settling in New Jersey, Havlat, a native of the Czech Republic, said, "No chance. ... It's nice, but not that nice."

Havlat wondered what the Rams thought about playing at the Prudential Center, the Devils' home rink, and junior forward Tyler Jones responded, "It was pretty hot on the ice." Later, he added, "I don't know whether it's the lights, but we all were sweating bullets. It's crazy when you get out there and see how big everything is."

Randolph junior Sean Jones called out the 15-year-veteran for having black streaks on the logo in the middle of his game-worn jersey.

Replied Havlat, "I got hit in the nose right away ... a joke. I like that."

Severson and Havlat autographed photos of the Rams celebrating after the state championship. Havlat got a little nostalgic, noting he hadn't won anything since the U-20 and full World Championships when he was 19 years old.

"That was a special year. No more gold medals and Stanley Cups since then," Havlat said. "It's always special to win anything. It's nice to see the whole group excited. They will remember it forever."

Staff Writer Jane Havsy: 973-428-6682; jhavsy@dailyrecord.com; www.dailyrecord.com/writerjane/