TAKEAWAYS

• Simon Nemec has been under the coaching guidance of Craig Ramsay since his teenage years in the Slovak national team.
• Ramsay expresses his thoughts on Nemec’s debut season in the NHL.
• Ramsay expresses his unwavering confidence in Nemec’s NHL-level skills.
• Ramsay addresses the obstacles that Nemec, a player entering his second NHL season, is likely to encounter, expressing confidence in his ability to navigate them successfully.

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Before the start of his World Championship training camp with the 2021 Slovak national team, Craig Ramsay found himself with a small window of free time in the evening. Seizing the opportunity, he made his way to the arena where the U18 players were competing in a game. While he couldn’t quite remember the opposing team, it wasn’t due to lack of interest. Rather, Ramsay was completely captivated by the exceptional performance of three players on the ice.

Simon Nemec, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Samuel Knazko were teenagers aged 16 and 17.

In an exclusive interview from Slovakia, Ramsay reminisced about how he instantly developed a deep affection for these three children. He was particularly impressed by their outstanding composure, which was truly remarkable for boys of their age, especially when it came to their performance on the ice.

Ramsay was so captivated that he immediately pulled them off the U18 ice, got their gear packed up, and relocated them to his World Championship training camp locker room. It was then that Ramsay truly saw the player whom the New Jersey Devils would soon focus on, mesmerized by their exceptional abilities.

The head coach stated that he relocated the three individuals and they participated in several events. As they continued to play, their skills improved. Eventually, they participated in the World Championships. It was remarkable how (Nemec) remained unfazed by any challenges and always felt at ease. His age of seventeen didn’t hinder his confidence in playing against anyone. Throughout the tournament, he was given opportunities to play on power plays and during regular play, facing off against opponents without hesitation. The coach emphasized that they never attempted to conceal him but instead entrusted him with a crucial role on the team consistently.

In 2021 Nemec would, in a few short months, play in both the World Junior Championship and at Worlds, beginning his journey of setting a new IIHF record for most games played by a U20 player.

Ramsay’s guidance has played a crucial role in the success of a rising cohort of Slovak talent making waves in the NHL.

History was made in Montreal in 2022 as the NHL Draft kicked off on Day 1. In a matter of minutes, the Canadiens made a groundbreaking move by selecting Slafkovsky, a talented forward from Slovakia, as the first overall pick. Shortly after, the New Jersey Devils continued the historic moment by choosing Nemec, making it the first time in NHL history that two Slovak players were selected as the first and second picks in the draft.

Ramsay’s significant contribution to the recent growth of Slovak hockey made this moment a remarkable one for him as well.

Unfortunately, he missed it – unintentionally.

“The really embarrassing part was, I was in Florida where I live, and I assumed, for some reason, I thought the draft was the next day,” Ramsay recalled. “I was sitting outside watching television, and my son, my oldest boy sent me a note ‘Isn’t that amazing? Going one and two.’ I was like ‘What are you talking about? It’s tomorrow. They’re just projections.‘ He said, ‘No, it’s now.’ So now I was scrambling around, trying to find it, and obviously, they’d already been picked. But then we had another guy go at 26, Filip Mesar and Adam Sykora went the second night.

I entered the house and informed my wife, “I’m going to grab a beer and take a stroll around the neighborhood because I might get teary-eyed.” It was an incredibly emotional moment for all of us. We have truly propelled this concept forward in Slovakia, as the players have fully embraced it. This achievement came as a delightful surprise for everyone in the country.

Craig Ramsay, having known Nemec since his adolescence and having coached him during the 2024 World Championship in Czechia following his debut NHL season, possesses unparalleled insight into the remarkable progress made by the Devils’ promising defenseman. Ramsay has been witness to every step of Nemec’s journey.

“He’s not afraid of it,” he stated confidently. “Once he got his chance, I knew he would excel. It’s just who he is – he thrives on being in that position. He’s unafraid of the challenges and is always ready to take risks in order to make things happen.”

According to Ramsay, Nemec’s self-confidence is the very quality that will propel him in his career. The head coach observed Nemec’s unwavering belief in himself during that evening when he watched the U18s play.

“He certainly possesses the conviction that he deserves to be present,” Ramsay expressed. “He aspires to lead a team and constantly demonstrates his eagerness. As a coach, you can see him eagerly observing from the sidelines, yearning to contribute to the first power play or excel in penalty kills. He genuinely believes in his capabilities and remains resolute in his actions. Witnessing a player with such skill and self-assurance instills confidence in a coach to believe in him too.”

In his initial three NHL games, Nemec showcased his skills with a total of three points (1 goal and 2 assists). As the year progressed, he went on to accumulate a total of 19 points (3 goals and 16 assists) throughout 60 games.

At the age of 72, Ramsay has dedicated his entire life to hockey. With experience as both an NHL head coach and assistant, as well as having played in over 1,000 games, he possesses a deep comprehension of the key elements required for a successful and enduring career in the National Hockey League.

“Being skilled without the puck is crucial to make it in the National Hockey League,” Ramsay emphasized. “While many focus on scorers and playmakers, it’s equally important to excel in defensive play. This instills the coach with confidence, allowing you to be trusted on the ice in any given situation.”

Therefore, what I have observed from him is that he can be played at any given moment.

Ramsay acknowledges that Year 2 brings about changes that can be challenging to navigate, but he remains fully confident in Nemec. Ramsay witnessed this firsthand during the World Championships in May and has since been instilling in the upcoming NHL sophomore the key elements for achieving Year 2 success.

He emphasized that the primary focus should always be on adhering to the team system and playing as a unified team member. By doing so, one’s innate skills will naturally improve. However, it is crucial not to force it, but rather to simply play the game.

He added, “This is a crucial matter. I emphasize this to every player on our team. I don’t expect you to be the hero. Just focus on playing your game. This is a vital aspect of team development. Simon needs to understand that he’s no longer a rookie, but as a second-year player, he must adhere to the coach’s philosophy and adapt to the team’s system.”

After successfully finishing another season with the Slovak Federation, Ramsay has expressed his intention to continue his coaching journey. He has played a crucial role in the progression of Slovak hockey, yet remains modest by giving credit to the players he mentors. However, it cannot be denied that under Ramsay’s guidance, these talented individuals have thrived and are now gaining recognition across households in North America.

Initially, he consented to a two-year commitment to the program, aiming to guide them towards what he deemed as the correct path. However, after the passage of seven years, Ramsay remains in charge. Throughout this time, he has played a significant role in nurturing budding NHL talents, with several more, he claims, poised for success in the near future.

Ramsay expressed his utmost surprise when he received a call from Miro Satan,” stated Ramsay. Satan, a distinguished athlete who boasted a remarkable record of over 1,000 NHL games and earned a rightful place in the IIHF Hall of Fame, currently serves as the President of the Slovak Ice Hockey Federation. Despite Ramsay being engrossed in a new chapter of his life, he found himself irresistibly pulled back into the world of hockey.

Ramsay expressed, “Ever since I left home at 16 to pursue hockey, I had constantly been working. Finally, I had a break and I actually enjoyed it. Then he reached out to me and invited me to Slovakia. Initially, I thought I would give him a year or maybe two, just to guide them towards the modern style of hockey that I believe in. However, I ended up falling in love with the people, the country, and the players. I am truly proud that we have persevered and continued on this journey.”

New Jersey Devils fans should also feel grateful, as without that phone call to Ramsay and his immense love for the game, the current state of Slovak hockey might not have been achieved.

It is possible that the Devils might not have discovered the Nemo we are familiar with today.