PHOENIX — Joey Monaghan’s laughter, ambition and favorite motto, “Don’t have a good day. Have a great day,” left a mark on Sydney Giacin, shaping her outlook on work and life. 

Although Giacin considered her co-worker’s catchphrase from the movie “Free Guy” cheesy, the two passed it along every day, becoming great friends in the New Jersey Devils’ front office.  

“He showed me not only how to work hard at my job,” Giacin said, “but how to be a good teammate and a good person.”

Even when changes within the organization separated them, both sales associates stayed connected by checking in with each other, exchanging encouragement and keeping the catchphrase alive.

Yet, tragedy struck when Monaghan was diagnosed with Stage 4 sarcoma. The disease progressed rapidly, and within weeks, the Devils lost a cherished teammate and friend. 

Monaghan’s passing left a void in the organization felt by colleagues, players and fans alike, Giacin said. 

In Monaghan’s memory, Giacin said she carried on her co-worker’s legacy by spreading joy, positivity and a hard work ethic. All while preserving that silly motto.

“I try to carry forward his positivity, his work ethic and his sense of joy,” Giacin said. “I’ve pledged to always try to have a great day, not just a good one.”

However, that positive mindset didn’t come from nowhere. Giacin said that a family rooted in hockey and a strong work ethic shaped the young professional long before she entered the NHL, preparing her for a life of helping others and building relationships. 

The game of hockey and life intertwine much of Giacin’s journey, she said, beginning with her father, who played on two U.S. Junior National teams, competed at St. Lawrence University and was drafted into the NHL in the late 1980s. 

Giacin’s uncle also laced up, and her three brothers continued the family tradition on the ice, she said. 

However, unlike much of her family, Giacin said she took a slightly different route off the ice. 

“I couldn’t skate to save my life,” she admitted with a touch of humor in an email interview. 

While unable to conquer the rink, the avid competitor played field hockey at her father’s alma mater, St. Lawrence University. Pair her college career with a love for the St. Louis Blues, and Giacin said the ice was always with her in one way or another. 

Despite being off the ice, Giacin said she began to see a future career in sports beyond fandom and athletics. 

With a passion for sports and a desire to work with people, Giacin said she landed a sales position with the New Jersey Devils shortly after graduation. 

Fast-forward to today, and Giacin is the Devils’ senior account manager, responsible for business operations and the fan experience, allowing her to build relationships and ensure every event runs smoothly, she says.

Building long-term relationships with patrons is key, Giacin said. From coordinating Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations for a client recovering from knee surgery to celebrating “little Devils fans” with long-time clients, she prides herself on making the fan experience both personal and memorable.

However, Giacin admitted breaking into the male-dominated sports management industry was not without its challenges.

Although she encountered gender stereotypes and a “male-dominated” culture, Giacin credited her success to the mentorship and guidance of women leaders. 

“Having strong women role models showed me that confidence, persistence, and collaboration are key to breaking barriers,” she said. 

Mentorship by women leaders helped Giacin overcome those challenges, and she hopes to do the same for others, leading the next generation of sports management professionals, she said. 

However, over all else, the legacy of Monaghan continues to inspire Giacin.

The enthusiasm, optimism and dedication to others Monaghan brought to life reflect in Giacin’s daily work as a leader, she says.

However, her tribute goes beyond simply recalling the motto they shared.

Instead, Giacin said she strives to live each day by the principles Monaghan lived by, making people’s days as he once did. 

Ultimately, her contributions to the organization culminated in being named the Devils’ Teammate of the Year, a title renamed in Monaghan’s honor. 

The award recognized Giacin’s efforts, particularly positivity and dedication to the Devils’ organization — the qualities Monaghan instilled in her.

As for what the future holds for her, Giacin said she hopes to continue building on the membership experience in New Jersey and spread the love of hockey to everyone who walks through the arena doors.

“I hope we can continue to grow the love of the game for everyone,” Giacin said. “That’s really what drives me, the idea that through sport, we can bring joy, inspiration, and a sense of belonging to people’s lives.”