The New Jersey Devils, commonly referred to as The Devils or simply Jersey, is one of the most iconic and successful hockey clubs in the world. Founded in 1974 as The Kansas City Scouts, it changed its name to The New Jersey Devils in 1982. The club is based in Newark, New Jersey, USA, and plays its home matches at the famous Prudential Center, which has a seating capacity of over 16,500.
The New Jersey Devils has a rich history, boasting 3 Stanley Cup titles, 5 Eastern Conference Championships, and numerous other domestic and international trophies. The club enjoyed its most successful era under legendary coaches Jacques Lemaire and Larry Robinson, who led The Devils to their Stanley Cup victories in the 1995, 2000, and 2003 seasons.
Known for its defensive style of play, the club has nurtured some of hockey’s greatest talents, including Martin Brodeur, Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, and Patrik Elias. Despite recent challenges and inconsistent performances post-2003, The New Jersey Devils remains one of the world’s most valuable hockey clubs, with a global fan base and a rich tradition that continues to influence American and world hockey.
New Jersey Devils is one of the most popular hockey teams in the world, with one of the highest average home attendances in the National Hockey League. The club states that its worldwide fan base includes more than 200 officially recognised branches of the New Jersey Devils Fan Club (NJDFC), in at least 24 countries. The club takes advantage of this support through its worldwide winter tours. Accountancy firm and sports industry consultants Deloitte estimate that New Jersey Devils has 75 million fans worldwide. The club has the third highest social media following in the world among sports teams (after Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins), with over 82 million Facebook followers as of July 2023. A 2014 study showed that New Jersey Devils had the loudest fans in the NHL.
New Jersey Devils was formed in 1974 as Kansas City Scouts by the National Hockey League. The team initially played games against other league teams, but on 20 November 1974, they competed in their first recorded match; wearing the colours of the team—red and black—they were defeated 6–0 by Atlanta Flames.
In April 1987, the appointment of Lou Lamoriello as the president of the team brought a change in the team's fortunes. Lamoriello demanded an unprecedented level of control over team selection, player transfers, and training sessions. Lamoriello led the team to their first Stanley Cup victory in 1995. In 2000 and 2003, the club won the Stanley Cup again, marking their dominance in the sport.
On 5 May 2015, Lamoriello resigned from his position as the president of the team, but would remain with the club as an advisor. He retired as one of the most decorated presidents in hockey history. The club announced the next day that Ray Shero would replace him from 1 July, having signed a six-year contract. John Hynes took over as head coach a month later, on 2 June 2015, when the team was struggling to maintain their position in the NHL.
The New Jersey Devils were originally funded by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. The club became a limited company in 1982 and was initially owned by John McMullen, who invested heavily in the club, including the construction of the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. In 2000, McMullen sold the team to Puck Holdings, an affiliate of YankeeNets (now known as Yankee Global Enterprises) for $175 million.
In 2004, Jeff Vanderbeek, a former executive with Lehman Brothers, purchased a controlling interest in the club and became the majority owner. Vanderbeek was a passionate owner who invested in the team and the local community, but faced financial difficulties and a protracted legal dispute with the city of Newark over lease terms and revenue sharing from the Prudential Center. In 2013, Vanderbeek was forced to sell the team due to these financial issues.
A group led by Joshua Harris and David S. Blitzer, who also own the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA, purchased the Devils in 2013. They have continued to invest in the team and the local community, with a focus on analytics and player development. The Devils have been successful under their ownership, with multiple playoff appearances and a strong roster of young talent. The current value of the team is estimated to be over $500 million, a significant increase from the $320 million purchase price in 2013.
Through all the changes in ownership, the Devils have remained committed to their fans and the state of New Jersey. They continue to be a source of pride and excitement for their loyal fan base, and a significant contributor to the local economy.
The New Jersey Devils is one of the most successful clubs in the National Hockey League (NHL) in terms of trophies won. The club's first trophy was the Patrick Division, which they won in the 1987–88 season. In 1995, the club won their first Stanley Cup and won the Stanley Cup two more times in the following years. Since then, they have gone on to win a total of 3 Stanley Cups—their total of 5 Conference Championships is one of the highest in the league. Those titles have meant the club has appeared multiple times in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Domestic
Individual Awards
New Jersey Devils - History: Learn about the history, achievements, and iconic players of the New Jersey Devils. https://www.nhl.com/devils/team/history
New Jersey Devils - Ownership: Detailed information about the owners of the New Jersey Devils and their impact on the team. https://www.forbes.com/teams/new-jersey-devils/
Becoming a leading global provider of digital solutions and services for the sports industry, enabling our clients to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
We aspire to be a trusted partner and advisor to our clients, leveraging our expertise and passion for sports to help them succeed in a rapidly changing market.
