Yesterday on the Devils’ official website, Brian Born wrote an article highlighting some must-see games at Prudential Center this upcoming season. Among them were five promotional nights that really stand out.
The first game he mentioned was opening night (October 7, 2017) when the Colorado Avalanche come to town. The Devils will most likely be doing their red carpet arrival that they have been doing the last few seasons again this year. This will also likely mark Nico Hischier’s first NHL game. Born did mention that former Devils draft pick Alexander Kerfoot did sign with the Avs, meaning that he and Hischier could faceoff in their first NHL games against each other.
A really interesting game was the second on his list: 35th Anniversary Night (October 27, 2017). This will be against the Ottawa Senators and will also mark the 10th anniversary to the date that the Devils took on the Sens in their first game at Prudential Center. Apparently, according to Born, this will be the first game in a series of 35th anniversary games where the team’s history in New Jersey will be honored. Presumably this will include another Ring of Honor night. The Devils began their Ring of Honor last season when they inducted late former owner John McMullen as the first member to be so immortalized.
November 9, 2017 against the Edmonton Oilers will see the Devils arena’s nickname, The Rock, never seem more appropriate. On that night, the Devils will host their very first WWE Night. Fans will likely be encouraged to dress up as their favorite WWE Superstars of the past and present and the opportunity for the Devils to do pro wrestling-style interviews on the big board should make for a fun night. This might have been what Keith Kinkaid was referring to when he said he hoped to see former WWE wrestler Mick Foley at a Devils game in the future the other day on Twitter.
On December 8, 2017, the Devils will, for the third straight year, host Star Wars Night versus the Columbus Blue Jackets (or as Born referred to them as “the Evil Imperial Team of Columbus”). Once again, fans will be sure to be encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters and there will be opportunites for kids and adults to take pictures with Darth Vader and others on the concourse throughout the game.
The final game on Born’s list was Patrik Elias Retirement Night on February 24, 2018. That night, against the Islanders, will see the Devils raise Patty’s number 26 to the rafters to join other Devils immortals.
Other nights of interest that Born mentioned at the end of his article that the Devils will be hosting include Military Appreciation Night (November 11 against the Florida Panthers), Hockey FIghts Cancer Night (November 24 versus the Vancouver Canucks) and Pride Night (February 1 against the Philadelphia Flyers). These are great league-wide initiatives that the Devils celebrate in tandem with the NHL and bring awareness to some good causes.
Overall, it looks like it is going to be a fun year at The Rock as the Devils really will be loading up on the promotions for the year.