The Devils today announced their promotions for the 2015-16 season today and, in keeping with the theme of this offseason, there is some breaking of longstanding traditions along the way.
Things kick off on opening night against the Winnipeg Jets on October 9 when the Devils will present a pre-game Fan Fest in Championship Plaza as well as a giveaway for fans in attendance. The night will be presented by Prudential and will start things rolling on the Devils’ 34th season in the Garden State.
On October 27, the Devils will host Hockey Fights Cancer Night against the Blue Jackets. This promotion is done each October by all of the NHL’s clubs as a way to promote awareness of and raise funds for the fight of all forms of cancer.
October 31 is the Devils’ Halloween celebration against the Islanders. A 1 PM matinee that will feature trick-or-treating on the Prudential Center concourse and a kids’ costume contest in addition to a special gift for all kids 14 and under.
November 10, the day before Veterans Day will be Military Appreciation Night against the St. Louis Blues. Members of the Armed Services will be honored throughout the night through special events and recognition. In addition, the first 10,000 fans in attendance will get a Devils camo cap.
One of the first breaks in tradition will begin on December 1, as the Devils will feature Adam Henrique Bobblehead Night against the Avalanche. The first 10,000 fans will receive an Adam Henrique bobblehead presented by MSG+. The reason this is such a break from the past for the Devils is that under Lou Lamoriello, individual players were rarely promoted above their teammates. In that line of the thinking, the logo on the front of the jersey is more important than the name on the back and players were mostly faceless cogs to be replaced as needed. Although I understand Lou’s promotion of the team over any individual, I also think that this is a breath of fresh air and it will really draw in fans of individual players.
December 4 is Firefighter Appreciation Night against the Flyers. The Devils will salute New Jersey’s firefighters throughout the game.
One month later on January 4, 2016 will be the second of the three collectible bobblehead nights, as the Devils will honor Cory Schneider with a bobblehead collectible against the Red Wings. The first 10,000 fans will receive one.
February 6 is Kids’ Day and Mike Cammalleri Bobblehead Night at 1 PM versus the Capitals. There will be activities and games for kids on the concourse pre-game and the first 10,000 fans will receive a Mike Cammalleri bobblehead courtesy of Holy Name Medical Center.
On February 16, the Devils will present the first of two nights where they will break out the retro red and green jerseys with Retro Night against the Flyers. All night the Devils will celebrate the 1980’s and wear the sweaters they made famous in that decade.
March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day against the Minnesota Wild and will see the team wear the green and red again in honor of the holiday.
March 25 sees the Devils honor the men and women of New Jersey’s law enforcement community on Police Appreciation Night against the Capitals.
Finally, on April 9, the Devils will host the Toronto Maple Leafs on the final game of the season with Fan Appreciation Night. There will be prizes given away throughout the night for all fans.
The tickets for these games go on sale on September 1 at 10 AM and are available at the usual ticket outlets. The Devils may also be adding additional promotional nights at a later date.