In 1974, the team that would eventually become the New Jersey Devils got their start as the Kansas City Scouts. The team did not do well in Kansas City or in Denver, where they also spent some time. They have improved in recent years, making it to the playoffs in 20 out of the last 22 seasons. To their credit, the Devils have nine Division championships, four Conference Championships, and three Stanley Cup wins.
The New Jersey Devils got their name like many other teams, through a fan naming contest. The name Devils was chosen by so many fans because of a legend that exists in New Jersey dating back to the 1700s. According to the legend, a woman named “Mother Leeds” was giving birth to her thirteenth child on a particularly stormy night and invoked the devil.
When the baby was born it is said to have changed into a monstrous devil-like creature and flown out the window to terrorize the countryside. There have of course been many “sightings” of the creature, yet none of those sightings can be confirmed and expeditions to find the creature have all failed.
The mascot of the New Jersey Devils is of course a New Jersey Devil, or at least a recreation of what the creature is supposed to have looked like. The team used to have another mascot, a man in a large suit shaped like a hockey puck. The man was involved in a controversy and the Devils chose to retire the mascot after he resigned, changing to a new mascot in the hopes that fans would forget about their former mascot.
When they’re not on the ice performing their amazing feats, the Devils are out in the community encouraging academic excellence and physical fitness in area residents, especially the children. They even participate in the nationwide “Read Across America”
program, reading to area children and encouraging literacy and a love of reading with the hopes that the love will last a lifetime for these students.
The home of the New Jersey Devils was the Continental Airlines Arena which was also known by other names, for the first 24 years they played in the area. Prior to the 2007- 2008 season however, the Devils moved from East Rutherford to Newark, to play in the brand new Prudential Center. The Rock, as the arena is often referred to, has seating for 17,625 fans. As one of the newer arenas in the league, the Rock has many features and amenities, including the latest in scoreboard technology and 750 flat screened televisions located throughout, as well as other nice touches.
When it comes to hockey, the New Jersey Devils are one of the more successful teams in the league. They work hard, play harder, and focus on their community and fans, earning them a great reputation and much devotion from the people of New Jersey, as well as fans all over the world.
2009-10 Season
After losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Quarter-finals, the Devils have made some minor changes, signing Rob Niedermayer to a 1-year $1 million contract, resigned Travis Zajac to a 4-year $15.55 million contract and Johnny Oduya to a 3-year $10.5 million deal. They also resigned Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond, Andy Greene and Brendan Shanahan. In the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Devils selected Swedish player Jacob Josefson with the 20th overall pick in the draft. In the free agent market, the team lost most notable Brian Gionta and Scott Clemmensen.
The Devils are currently sitting in first place in the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference with a 36-19-2 record, trailing only the Blackhawks and the Capitals have better records in the league.
2007-08 Season
After losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Quarter-finals, the Devils have made some minor changes, signing Rob Niedermayer to a 1-year $1 million contract, resigned Travis Zajac to a 4-year $15.55 million contract and Johnny Oduya to a 3-year $10.5 million deal. They also resigned Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond, Andy Greene and Brendan Shanahan. In the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Devils selected Swedish player Jacob Josefson with the 20th overall pick in the draft. In the free agent market, the team lost most notable Brian Gionta and Scott Clemmensen. The Devils are currently sitting in first place in the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference with a 36-19-2 record, trailing only the Blackhawks and the Capitals have better records in the league.
