Cody Glass Reflects on Draft-Day Chaos and His NHL Journey with the Devils

Cody Glass, drafted sixth overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017, vividly recalls the whirlwind of emotions surrounding his entry into the NHL. As he stepped onto the stage at the United Center, dressed in a black suit and donning an Adidas Golden Knights hat, few could have guessed the frantic journey that had brought him there.

“I remember my flight got canceled the day or two days before the draft,” Glass shared with The Hockey News. “I almost missed all the media availabilities. I was panicking. I ended up making it just in time. My dad ended up getting me there. It was a crazy, crazy experience.” His selection marked a historic moment for the Golden Knights, who were in their inaugural season.

Five spots after him, Nico Hischier was picked first overall by the New Jersey Devils, highlighting the competitive nature of that draft class. Reflecting on the experience, Glass said, “It is really cool just getting to experience that with your family. You watch it as a kid growing up, and it is really cool to experience it. When I got drafted to Vegas, it was a brand-new team, so I thought, oh, brand new start. But at the end of the day, it is the opportunity you get with the team, and what you do after the draft that really matters.”

After two seasons in Vegas, Glass was traded to the Nashville Predators at the age of 21. He spent three years in Nashville before moving to the Pittsburgh Penguins and eventually landing with the New Jersey Devils in March 2025. Now 26, he acknowledges the pressures that come with being a high draft pick, particularly the expectation to deliver offensively. “I think there is elevated pressure just producing and all that kind of stuff,” he admitted.

During the Devils’ exit interviews for the 2025-26 season, Glass reflected on his journey and the pivotal conversations that shaped his role on the team. “I had a really good sit-down with (head coach Sheldon Keefe) on my first day here, and he just told me he believed in me, and he told me exactly what my role was going to be, and he told me not to worry about anything else,” he recalled. This support was a first for him in his career, allowing him to focus on his contributions without the burden of unrealistic expectations.

Last season, Glass achieved a career-high of 19 goals, thriving on the third line alongside rookies Lenni Hämeenaho and Arseny Gritsyuk. In his role, he became an essential depth player for the Devils, making the most of his limited ice time. “At the end of the day, now that I look back on (everything), I wish I had the mindset I do now,” he said. “Everybody needs a role, and there are different opportunities for different people. You can help a team win in different ways. I look at our team now, and having Hischier and (Jack Hughes), two centers that I am not going to be them. It is more about what can I do to help them out and let them be better.”

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.