Jay Pandolfo stepped onto the stage of hockey in a big way while attending Boston University from 1992 to 1996. In his senior year, he was selected to the Hockey East All-Star Team, to the NCAA East First All-American Team and was the Hockey East Player-of-the-Year. A member of the U.S. World Junior team in 1994, Pandolfo was a standout player at Burlington Prep School before he was recruited by BU.
But the New Jersey Devils had decided they liked Pandolfo well before his final year of college, drafting the young recruit back in 1993. During his first three seasons with the Devils, he picked up some big-league experience here and there while shuttling back and forth between Jersey and their AHL affiliate, the Albany River Rats.
In 1998-99, however, Pandolfo finally earned a regular spot on the Devils' roster and his strong play throughout the regular season earned him a sport the U.S. World Championship team later that spring. But as an NHLer, his role underwent a drastic change from his high-scoring days at Boston College. In the pro ranks, he became a stronger two-way player, and well schooled defensively. In exchange for his humbled position with the club, Pandolfo was able to ride the Devils' momentum all the way to a Stanley Cup victory in 2000.
Since that time, Pandolfo has established himself as a solid, up-and-down winger who plays an exemplary team game. He has sufficient size to battle in the corners and is feverishly intense as a forechecker and penalty killer. Pandolfo earned his stripes in the mold of the prototypical Devils forward who plays a tight, tough and tenacious game. In 2003, Pandolfo earned his second Stanley Cup ring.
Aside from his WJC appearances, Pandolfo represented his homeland at the 1999 World Championships.
