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Devils News Roundup

I wanted to get to some news that has come along that I did not want to roll into the post for tonight’s game recap against the Los Angeles Kings.

First, the big piece of news. Forward prospect Alexander Holtz was recalled from AHL Utica yesterday and will most likely play in tonight’s game against the Kings. He joined the team in California yesterday and practiced with the team in Anaheim before they moved on to LA.

Congrats to him as he makes his highly anticipated NHL debut!

Two players the Devils will be missing will be defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who coach Lindy Ruff said is day-to-day with a lower body injury and goalie Scott Wedgewood, who was claimed off of waivers yesterday by the Arizona Coyotes.

For Hamilton, he is not expected to play tonight versus the Kings as per Ruff. In Wedgewood’s case, this is his second go around with the Coyotes.

He was traded to Arizona from the Devils on October 28, 2017. He previously appeared in 20 games for the Coyotes before signing as a free agent with the Buffalo Sabres in 2018. He signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019 and then with the Devils in October of 2020. (All of this information comes from his player profile on HockeyReference.com.)

In other news, the Devils’ PR announced today that there were some “promotions and new hires affecting scouting, athlete care, analytics and team operations.”

First, Scott Litwack has been promoted to Director, Hockey Operations/Assistant General Manager of the Utica Comets. He will now work with Devils’ “Assistant General Manager Dan MacKinnon to manage the hockey operations for the Utica Comets American Hockey League team.” He had previously managed “the team’s cap and transactions.”

Nick Blackman will now take on the role of Senior Manager, Team Operations/Hockey Communications. He will now “serve as a day-to-day contact for the players, coaches, management and locker room staff to coordinate availability, scheduling and events for the Hockey Operations Department.”

Caela McLoughlin was promoted to Manager, Player, Family & Alumni Initiatives. She will help “contribute to family onboarding, player community endeavors, alumni programming and PR efforts.”

Craig Lewis is new to the organization and will serve as Software Developer. He “will work on projects and programming within the Analytics Departmart.”

Al Santilli joins the organization from the Pittsburgh Penguins (winning two Stanley Cups while in Pittsburgh) as Head of Free Agent Scouting/Recruitment. He worked ten years with the Pens, where he served in the scouting department as an Amateur, Pro and Global Crossover Scout.

Former Devil Sergei Nemchinov rejoins the organization as a European Scout. He won the Cup with the Devils in 2000 as a player. He also played for the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks and the New York Islanders over 11 NHL seasons.

Anders Nilsson joins as a European Goalie Scout. Nilsson played seven NHL seasons with the Islanders, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Buffalo Sabres, Canucks and the Ottawa Senators. Over his career, according to the press release, he was 59-74-15 and had a 3.06 goals against average and a .907 save percentage over 161 games in the NHL.

Michael Sdao joins the organization as an Amateur Scout. He previously worked as an Assistant Coach for the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League.

Ian Greenwald was promoted to Video Coach while Lucas Hurtt was named as the new Video Coordinator. Both men joined the staff last season according to the press release and Greenwald had been with the Binghamton Devils of the AHL previously as the video coach. Hurtt was in his first season in season in pro hockey last year according to the press release.

JT Podell will now be the Head Athletic Trainer after previously serving as an Assistant Athletic Trainer.

Mike Coyne will join the organization as a Physical Therapist/Assistant Athletic Trainer.

And that is your Devils news roundup for today, Friday, November 5, 2021.

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Devils Announce Theme Nights for 2019-20

The Devils today announced theme nights for the 2019-20 regular season. There are some old returning favorites and some new ones in the mix.

October 4 is opening night against the Winnipeg Jets. Fans in attendance will receive a light up bracelet (similar to the ones Flyers fans threw on the ice during the playoffs a few seasons ago, I would imagine). Let’s just hope things go well for the Devils here.

On Monday, October 14, the Devils will host the Florida Panthers in a 1 PM matinee. This will be Kids Day, a promotion done a few times last season that will return.

The Rangers come into Prudential Center on Thursday, October 17 that will be Thursday Night Hockey. Not really sure what differentiates Thursday night from the other four days of the week that they play hockey, but there you go.

Friday, November 15 is Military Appreciation Night. The first 9,000 fans in attendance will receive a camouflage Devils hat.

Saturday, November 23 sees the Detroit Red Wings come to town and the Devils hold their annual Hockey Fights Cancer night. The league-wide initiative continues for the 21st season.

On Friday, December 6, the Chicago Blackhawks will be the opponent as the Devils host their Star Wars Night. The first 9,000 fans will get a Jack Hughes Jedi bobblehead. The bobbleheads are always popular giveaways and this one should be no different.

Tuesday, January 7 is Retro Night against the Islanders. Most likely, the Devils’ red, white and green jerseys will be making an appearance.

Another Thursday Night Hockey comes to us on January 30 against the Nashville Predators.

Saturday, February 1 is a good one, as the Dallas Stars come to Newark to help the Devils celebrate 2000 Cup Night. The first 9,000 fans will be given a replica championship ring based on that of the 2000 champs. The Stars were, of course, the team the Devils defeated to take home the Stanley Cup twenty years prior in 2000.

Sunday, February 16 is WWE Night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The first 9,000 fans will receive a PK Subban “Subbanator” bobblehead. PK’s pro wrestling-style alter ego will be on display as a bobblehead that should be another big giveaway.

Yet another Thursday Night Hockey game comes to us on February 20 against the San Jose Sharks.

The Washington Capitals come to town on Saturday, February 22 at 1 PM in what is another Kids Day.

Video Games will be celebrated on Friday, March 5 when the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues come into Prudential Center. This seems like a good night to celebrate PK Subban’s close connection to the EA Sports NHL series, but also all video games both modern and retro.

Two more Thursday Night Hockey games come on March 12 against the Carolina Hurricanes and on March 19 against the Calgary Flames.

Another Kids Day will take place on Saturday, March 28 at 2 PM against the Flyers.

And finally, Thursday, April 2 will be Fan Appreciation Night against the Buffalo Sabres. Hopefully, the Devils will be looking at playoff hockey to really show appreciation to those who support them.