NEWARK, N.J. -- Simon Nemec has a goal, and a gold, in mind for this season.

The New Jersey Devils defenseman is pushing for a full-time role once and for all and also has his sights set on playing for Slovakia in the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 in February.

And he spent the entire offseason working out trying to make each happen.

"I did so many workouts, put on muscle and I just feel in good shape; I needed a summer like that," said the 21-year-old, who didn’t play for Slovakia in IIHF World Championships after last season. "I took one month off after the season, and then just started working hard for three months and I feel way better than last year at the same time."

The right-handed shot (6-foot-1, 200 pounds) picked up in training camp right where he left off last

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