Jean-Sébastien Dea, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins’ resident fashion icon, knows a thing or two about style. Whether it’s with a patterned bow tie and rose ensemble or a graceful shot to the top corner, Dea simply finds ways to look good both on and off the ice.
It’s easy to imagine his wish lists often include pinstriped three-piece suits or a fresh set of pocket squares, but Dea unwrapped an unforgettable present later in the season, one that he’s worked a long time to earn.
Dea had another offensively-charged year with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2016-17. He posted 18 goals during the regular season and added two more in the playoffs to make an even 20 tallies for the second year in a row. But even though he was still putting up the points, Dea felt his performance wasn’t up to his own standards.
It wasn’t until the holiday break that Dea really ramped up his game and showed that he’s not just all flash.
“I really turned a corner at Christmas,” Dea said. “Slow start, but after that, I got it going. I think I really started playing some good hockey. And I got rewarded with my first (NHL) game.”
Yes, of course. The first NHL game. As his third full season in the Penguins organization was coming to a close, Dea got the call from up top that he was being recalled to Pittsburgh for their game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. For a young man from Québec that’s already living his dream as a professional hockey player, the opportunity to make his NHL debut at the world’s most famous venue quickly skyrocketed to the top of the list of his favorite memories in his career.
“That one takes the cake,” he said. “It’d be hard to give it to anything else. My first game was something truly special. I will remember that forever.”
Dea’s work isn’t done though. Now that he’s had a taste of the NHL, it’s easy to understand why he wants more. And based on the way he upped his game at this past season’s holiday break, he thinks he’s closer to making more NHL memories than he’s ever been.
“Now that I look back at the years, I think I can say I’m headed in the right direction,” Dea said. “I’m really excited for the future.”
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