PRINCETON: Honor is surprise to Bertoli

Trenton Devils to retire No. 19 jersey

By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
   A Scott Bertoli bobblehead doll went for a winning bid of $4.99 at the start of this month.
   Its value just went up as the Trenton Devils announced last week that they will retire Bertoli’s No. 19 in a pre-game ceremony on Feb. 21 before they host the South Carolina Stingrays. Something says that’s a bigger honor for Bertoli than having a bobblehead made in his likeness.
   ”I’m really surprised they’re retiring my number,” Bertoli said. “That’s definitely an honor. It says a lot about the type of commitment and loyalty they have toward me and vice versa.”
   When Bertoli retired from the then-Trenton Titans in 2007, he wasn’t sure how the new ownership would handle the possibility of retiring his jersey but it’s the right thing to do.
   Bertoli gave local fans an instant connection to a Trenton franchise that was trying to take wings. He joined the team shortly after he played his final game for Princeton University, where he had helped the Tigers attain new heights. In 1998, his junior season, they won the ECAC championship for the first time in program history.
   He did the same for the Titans. In 2005, he helped lead them to their only Kelly Cup crown. He had 24 points in 20 games during the playoff run. It was a big highlight in a career full of them.
   Bertoli is tops among Trenton players in all-time goals with 182, assists with 344 and points with 526. He played in 507 games, and another 67 playoff contests. He is tied for 18th in the ECHL in all-time points and tied for 14th in all-time assists.
   In his last season, 2006-2007, he had career highs in goals with 31, assists with 48 and points with 79. For the fifth time in his career, he led the Titans in scoring.
   That year, he also served as Princeton Day School boys hockey coach for the first time, and became assistant athletic director for the next year. It kept him in the area, connected to hockey and around to enjoy a special Scott Bertoli Night at Sovereign Bank Arena.
   The Devils will honor Bertoli, a charter member of the Trenton franchise, one nicknamed “The Franchise” for his devotion from its inception to switch in ownership.
   ”I’m thankful they’re enabling this to happen,” Bertoli said. “For eight years, I committed to playing for that franchise and its players and the fans.
   ”For the six or seven or eight months, it’s your life. I wouldn’t say it’s a 9-5 job. It’s fun. It’s doing something you love. You’re playing a game you grew up with and loved to play. I started when I was 4. To grow up to be able to play it at 29 or 30, the fact I could do is something I loved to do so long was great.”
   Bertoli is enjoying his new capacity at PDS. Coaching and being an administrator are another side of the game. His past playing career with his new role will come together at the retirement ceremony that will raise his No. 19 to the Sovereign Bank Arena rafters. His PDS players could be there in force.
   ”We don’t play that night,” Bertoli said. “I expect to see most of them there.”
   And he’s hoping that his former Princeton University teammates can make the trip back to support him as well.
   ”There are a bunch of guys in New York,” Bertoli said. “I’m sure they’d come down if they can. Some of the guys close to here will come back if they’re able to.”