Bildnummer: 14591614 Datum: 21.09.2013 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI 21 SEP 2013: New Jersey Devils center Tim Sestito (23) during the second period of a preseason NHL Eishockey Herren USA hockey game between the New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils in New York. The match is the first ever hockey game held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. NHL Eishockey Herren USA SEP 21 Preseason - Devils v Islanders PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon0921130921130062; Pre Season Preasesaon xdp x0x 2013 quer Image number 14591614 date 21 09 2013 Copyright imago Icon Smi 21 Sep 2013 New Jersey Devils Center Tim Sestito 23 during The Second Period of A Preseason NHL Ice hockey men USA Hockey Game between The New York Islanders and The New Jersey Devils in New York The Match is The First ever Hockey Game Hero AT Barclays Center in Brooklyn NHL Ice hockey men USA Sep 21 Preseason Devils v Islanders PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Pre Season x0x 2013 horizontal
Bildnummer: 14591614 Datum: 21.09.2013 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI 21 SEP 2013: New Jersey Devils center Tim Sestito (23) during the second period of a preseason NHL Eishockey Herren USA hockey game between the New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils in New York. The match is the first ever hockey game held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. NHL Eishockey Herren USA SEP 21 Preseason - Devils v Islanders PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon0921130921130062; Pre Season Preasesaon xdp x0x 2013 quer Image number 14591614 date 21 09 2013 Copyright imago Icon Smi 21 Sep 2013 New Jersey Devils Center Tim Sestito 23 during The Second Period of A Preseason NHL Ice hockey men USA Hockey Game between The New York Islanders and The New Jersey Devils in New York The Match is The First ever Hockey Game Hero AT Barclays Center in Brooklyn NHL Ice hockey men USA Sep 21 Preseason Devils v Islanders PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Pre Season x0x 2013 horizontal
Former NHL forward Tim Sestito has reached another big milestone in his hockey career. He has been named to the Rome Sports Hall of Fame's Class of 2026, becoming the first player from Rome to play in the NHL and earn this honor.
The Hall of Fame recognized Sestito for his hard work and determination. Even though no NHL team drafted him, he worked his way to the league.
Sestito played 101 NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils. He finished his NHL career with eight assists and earned a reputation as a physical, hard-working forward.
Reflecting on the recognition, he admitted, "It was certainly humbling. It's not something I thought of."
The 40-year-old also thanked the people who helped him reach the NHL. He said they played a big role in helping him achieve his dream of playing at hockey's highest level.
"There's family and our community. There's many hands in it and I tried to represent that as best I could."
According to Rome Sentinel's Steve Jones, Sestito almost saw his dream of playing in the NHL come to an end before it really started.
"I was never drafted. I grinded my way up. I tried to represent Rome," he said.
He also spoke about the tough times in his journey.
"There were some dark days, if I'm going to be honest," he said.
Tim Sestito made his NHL debut with the Edmonton Oilers during the 2008-09 season. He also appeared in the Stanley Cup Playoffs once with the New Jersey Devils in 2012.
He never scored an NHL goal, but his hard work helped him enjoy a 16-year professional career before he returned to his hometown of Rome.
Sestito embraces life after hockey while remaining proud of his NHL journey
In the same Rome Sentinel report by Steve Jones, Tim Sestito spoke about his life after retirement and how his view of life has changed since he stopped playing after the 2016-17 season.
He now works as a firefighter in Rome, and he said the job has given him a new purpose after hockey.
"I went from being in one locker room in the hockey world to being in a locker room with a bunch of guys in the fire department. I'm so fortunate for my second career," he said.
Sestito said this while talking about his move away from professional hockey. His career also included two seasons with Dinamo Riga in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
He said the experience opened his eyes, even though his style of play was different from European hockey. Looking back, Sestito said he is most proud of making it to the NHL.
"To play 100 games in the top league, I'm proud. It's hard for me to say that, but it's true. I hope I represented where I came from the best I could."
The Hall of Fame Class of 2026 also includes Tom Mazuzan, Mike Moshier, Paul Pillmore and Kara Wojdyla Pritchard. The induction ceremony will take place on Sunday in Rome.
For Sestito, this honor is another special moment in a career built on hard work and determination.
His journey shows that hard work and never giving up can leave a lasting legacy.
What do you think? Will Tim Sestito's journey to the NHL inspire the next generation of hockey players from Rome? Let us know in the comments.
Read more at NHL Fan Central.
Written by
Kapil Manghnani
Kapil Manghnani brings over 4.5 years of experience in sports journalism, covering a wide range of sports, including Soccer, NHL, Tennis, Gymnastics, NASCAR, Swimming, and more. He has written for leading sports platforms, producing everything from breaking news and features to in-depth analysis, opinion pieces, long-form stories, and short-form content. Beyond articles, he has also scripted long-form storytelling videos for YouTube channels. His work focuses on delivering well-researched, engaging, and reader-first sports content across multiple formats.
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Suyashdeep Sason