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Alexander Holtz Gaining More Confidence with Each Passing Game

Originally posted on Full Press Hockey | By Jim Biringer | Last updated 1/8/24

The New Jersey Devils knew they had something special when they drafted Alexander Holtz seventh overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. While it has taken some time, Holtz is turning exactly into the player they thought he would be a goal scorer.

You can see the confidence is there for this young player in the NHL. And with each passing game, he is gaining more and more confidence. And he is producing in his limited ice time as well. He has 19 points (nine goals and 10 assists) in 37 games this season with the Devils. These are all career highs as he is playing in his first full season with the Devils.

Over the last five games, Holtz has recorded five points (one goal and four assists) after not recording a point in five straight. This comes after another stretch where Holtz recorded eight points (four goals and four assists) in 11 games.

A big reason why he is having success is the confidence he has in himself regardless of the situation he is in.

“I would say my confidence level is always high, Holtz said following the Devils win on Friday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. “I always believe in my play. I think that’s a huge part. So yeah, always trust my play and always have confidence and it also matter really how it goes.”

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With each passing game, Alexander Holtz is gaining more and more confidence in his abilities as he wants to continue to earn his ice time from head coach Lindy Ruff. As we saw on his goal to tie the game at 1-1 against Chicago.

A player that does not have confidence will not make a give-and-go play like that. It was a beautiful read by Holtz to get the puck to defenseman Simon Nemec. Holtz got into the right position as Nemec sent the puck back to him.

As Nemec said following the game against the Blackhawks, “Holtz always tells me to give him the puck and I did.”

Simon Nemec Alexander Holtz. Perfection. pic.twitter.com/2jzyELjd1C

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 6, 2024

A confident player does not demand the puck from his teammates. Holtz is showing he can produce to keep earning his ice time.

“I feel like I’m getting better every game,” Holtz continued following the Devils win on Friday night against Chicago. “I’m just trying to like I said before, I’m trying to improve my game earn more trust, earn more playing time and get better from there.”

Alexander Holtz wants to succeed at the NHL level. Though, at times, it may seem like he gets punished for no reason by head coach Lindy Ruff. It is just a message that he expects the little details of the game to be followed.

“Small parts of the game that make a big difference,” Holtz told Full Press Hockey. “What I actually talk with him a lot about is puck play, keeping your feet going, when is the right time to stay on the hunt, and when is the right time to create a great angle and get back. Just trying to understand what can usually get you in trouble as a player and really attack.”

So, there is a reason behind the madness. Holtz is always looking to get better. We have seen over the past several games now. Holtz is doing those details to perfection, playing on a line with Michael McLeod and Curtis Lazar. His nine goals at five-on-five ranked third on the Devils. And in the limited amount of time, he’s making an impact with points in back-to-back games.

His teammates are so happy for him that he is playing with this newfound confidence in his game. The pace of the game does not seem too quick for him. And even with guys out of the lineup like Timo Meier, Ondrej Palat, and Jack Hughes, Holtz is not putting extra pressure on himself to perform. He is just playing his game.

“I want to contribute every game so I don’t feel like it’s any difference with those guys out but yeah, just trying to play my game and contribute to the team,” Holtz said following the Devils’ win against Chicago on Friday night.

If Holtz continues his play, expect him to earn more minutes as the season progresses.

This article first appeared on Full Press Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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