Jake Reynolds and Tom Fitzgerald Pen Letter to Devils Fans

Devils President Jake Reynolds and Interim General Manager Tom Fitzgerald wrote an open letter to Devils fans that appeared on the team’s official website today.

You can find a link to that here: here.

The letter basically states that the team will keep the fans updated on the NHL’s coronavirus suspension through the usual channels of the official website, social media and, if you are a season ticket holder, your Account Services Manager.

The letter did mention that offices at the Prudential Center are closed, for the safety of the staff and all events through March have been postponed at Prudential Center, not just hockey. They did also confirm that owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer are supporting “game and event day part-time employees” at the arena. They will be paid for any postponed Devils games and other events at the arena.

As well, the RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House will be closed for the time being. That is the practice rink for the Devils, but also hosts other forms of hockey such as youth games, adult beer leagues and other practices and tournaments.

This was a nice gesture by the Devils’ brass. It is great to hear confirmation that the game-day employees are being paid. That is one of the major worries you would have going into this situation. Otherwise, they just essentially reiterated that fans should “stay safe, be smart, and take care of each other” as the letter put it, which is a great message.

HBSE Names Jake Reynolds Devils President

Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Devils, has named a new team president for the Devils. Jake Reynolds will take over, effective immediately, from Hugh Weber, who “will assume an elevated leadership role within HBSE” according to the press release put out by the team.

Reynolds will be responsible for “all business, revenue, strategy and operations of the Devils” and “will work alongside Ray Shero, Devils Executive Vice President/General Manger.”

Reynolds previously worked in HBSE as Chief Revenue Officer. He oversaw that role for both the Devils and the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA. He has worked within HBSE for seven years, “achieving league-leading positions in all metrics related to customer service, ticket sales and season ticket member growth and retention” for the Sixers. According to the press release, the 76ers also broke all-time franchise records in fan attendance and ticket sales during the 2018-19 season when he was working with them.

He previously worked for Monumental Sports & Entertainment, holding “a senior management position” for the Washington Wizards of the NBA, the Washington Capitals, the Washington Mystics of the WNBA as well as Georgetown Men’s Basketball.

Reynolds will now be based in Newark and will assist Shero “in re-building the three-time Stanley Cup-winning franchise.” The press release also says that Reynolds and Chris Heck – president of the Sixers – “will report directly to Weber” in the HBSE hierarchy.

Scott O’Neil, HBSE CEO said: “Given the continued expansion of our organization, this was an opportune time to lift two incredible and deserving executives into bigger and wider roles. Both Jake and Hugh are tremendous leaders possessing a wide array of experience and expertise across the sports and entertainment ecosystem. This plan empowers a world class executive in Hugh Weber to focus on the continued exponential growth of our core business, while Jake Reynolds brings his signature expertise in culture building and laser-focus on innovation to drive our business forward with the greatest upside.”