New Jersey Devils
About the New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils franchise began in 1974 as the Kansas City Scouts, one of two NHL expansion teams added that year alongside the Washington Capitals.
The Scouts spent only two seasons in Kansas City before relocating to Colorado in 1976 and becoming the Colorado Rockies. After six seasons in Denver, the franchise moved again in 1982, this time settling in New Jersey and adopting the Devils name.
The move to New Jersey eventually transformed the organization. After struggling during its early years, the Devils developed into one of the NHL's most successful teams of the 1990s and early 2000s, winning three Stanley Cup championships.
Division History
The Kansas City Scouts began play in the Smythe Division of the Campbell Conference in 1974. The franchise remained in the Smythe Division after relocating to Colorado.
When the Rockies moved to New Jersey in 1982, the Devils were shifted to the Patrick Division of the Wales Conference, placing them alongside several East Coast rivals.
The NHL reorganized its conferences and divisions in 1993, with New Jersey becoming a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference.
Another league realignment in 2013 placed the Devils in the newly created Metropolitan Division, where they remain today.
The exception was the shortened 2020-21 season, when the NHL temporarily reorganized its divisions and New Jersey competed in the East Division.
Championship History
The Devils reached the playoffs for the first time after moving to New Jersey during the 1987-88 season. That team made an unexpected run to the Wales Conference Final before losing to the Boston Bruins.
New Jersey's first Stanley Cup championship came in 1995.
The Devils defeated the Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers before sweeping the Detroit Red Wings in four games in the Stanley Cup Final.
New Jersey returned to the Final in 2000 and defeated the Dallas Stars in six games to win its second championship. Jason Arnott scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in double overtime of Game 6.
The Devils reached the Final for a second consecutive season in 2001 but lost to the Colorado Avalanche in seven games.
New Jersey captured its third Stanley Cup in 2003, defeating the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in seven games. Goaltender Martin Brodeur recorded three shutouts during the Final.
The Devils reached the Stanley Cup Final for a fifth time in 2012. New Jersey defeated the Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers before losing to the Los Angeles Kings in six games.
The franchise has won nine division championships and five conference championships in addition to its three Stanley Cups.
More recently, New Jersey produced the best regular season in franchise history in 2022-23, finishing with 52 wins and 112 points. The Devils defeated the New York Rangers in seven games in the opening round before losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round.
Home of the Devils
The Devils play their home games at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
When the franchise moved to New Jersey in 1982, the team initially played at Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford. The building was later known as Continental Airlines Arena.
The Devils remained in East Rutherford until 2007, when they moved to the newly built Prudential Center in downtown Newark.
Prudential Center has a hockey capacity of 16,514 and has been the Devils' home throughout the franchise's modern era.
Notable Devils
Martin Brodeur became the defining player of the Devils' championship era and one of the most accomplished goaltenders in NHL history.
Brodeur spent 21 of his 22 NHL seasons with New Jersey and backstopped the Devils to Stanley Cup championships in 1995, 2000 and 2003.
He finished his NHL career as the league's all-time leader in regular-season wins with 691, shutouts with 125 and games played by a goaltender with 1,266. Brodeur won the Vezina Trophy four times and the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year.
His No. 30 was retired by the Devils in 2016, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.
Patrik Elias remains the leading offensive scorer in Devils history.
Elias spent his entire 20-season NHL career with New Jersey and holds the franchise records for goals, assists and points with 408 goals, 617 assists and 1,025 points.
He helped the Devils win Stanley Cups in 2000 and 2003 and played a major role in several of the franchise's deepest postseason runs.
Elias also held New Jersey's single-season points record with 96 until Jack Hughes surpassed it with 99 points during the 2022-23 season.
The Devils retired Elias' No. 26 in 2018.
Scott Stevens became one of the central figures in the Devils' rise to championship success after joining New Jersey in 1991.
Known for his physical defensive play and leadership, Stevens served as captain during all three of the franchise's Stanley Cup championships.
He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2000 and spent 13 seasons with the Devils. His No. 4 was retired by the franchise in 2006.
Scott Niedermayer was another cornerstone of New Jersey's championship teams.
The Devils selected Niedermayer with the third overall pick in the 1991 NHL Draft, and the defenseman spent 13 seasons with the organization. He was part of all three Stanley Cup-winning Devils teams and won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman following the 2003-04 season.
Niedermayer recorded 364 assists for New Jersey, one of the highest totals in franchise history, and had his No. 27 retired in 2011.
Ken Daneyko spent his entire NHL career with the Devils and became another symbol of the franchise's championship era.
Daneyko played 20 seasons for New Jersey and was part of all three Stanley Cup-winning teams. Known primarily as a defensive defenseman, he finished his career as one of the longest-serving players in franchise history.
His No. 3 was retired by the Devils in 2006.
Other prominent players in Devils history include John MacLean, Claude Lemieux, Bobby Holik, Scott Gomez, Brian Rafalski, Jamie Langenbrunner, Zach Parise, Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes.