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New Jersey Devils Hockey Team History

NHL Teams | New Jersey Devils Hockey Team History
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NHL Team History

The National Hockey League (NHL), with its fast-paced action and iconic rivalries, boasts a rich history that spans over a century. Originating in Canada the frenzy of the fastest game on ice crossed the border to the US and has been on the rise.

The NHL originated in 1909 with the formation of the National Hockey Association (NHA) in Eastern Canada. The group started with four teams the Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Toronto St. Patricks (later Maple Leafs), and Montreal Wanderers – formed the core of the league in its early years.

The league witnessed its first American franchise in 1924 with the addition of the Boston Bruins. Expansion continued throughout the 1920s, reaching major cities like Chicago, Detroit, and New York.

From this original six to the expansion and merging of the last five decades, the NHL is today thriving from coast to coast in the US and Canada.


New Jersey Devils Hockey Team History

The New Jersey Devils, though not boasting the longest franchise history, have carved a significant niche in the NHL. Their journey can be broadly divided into three phases:

Building the Foundation (1982-1993):

-Established in 1982 after the Colorado Rockies' relocation, the Devils struggled to find their footing.

-The team drafted and developed key players like Patrik Elias and Scott Niedermayer, who would become future stars.

-Under coach Jacques Lemaire, the Devils adopted a defensive-minded "trap" system, emphasizing controlled play and opportunistic offense.

Batten Down the Hatches and Championship Runs (1993-2012):

-The "trap" system, though criticized for being passive, proved highly effective. The Devils became a consistent playoff contender, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 1995.

-Led by Elias, Brodeur, and Niedermayer, the Devils captured their first Stanley Cup championship in 1995, defeating the heavily favored Detroit Red Wings.

-They repeated this feat in 2000 and 2003, solidifying their position as a dominant force in the Eastern Conference.

-Goalie Martin Brodeur, nicknamed "Saint Marty," became a franchise icon, shattering numerous records and earning three Stanley Cup MVP awards.

A Period of Rebuilding and Looking Ahead (2012-Present):

The departure of key players like Brodeur and Elias marked a period of transition. The Devils struggled to maintain consistent success in a league with a growing salary cap.

The team has focused on drafting and developing young talent, with players like Jack Hughes emerging as future stars.

The Devils have a passionate fanbase known for their loyalty and enthusiastic support. The team is committed to giving back to the community, fostering youth hockey programs, and inspiring future generations.

The New Jersey Devils' story is one of resilience, defensive innovation, and championship pedigree. They continue to strive for excellence, aiming to recapture the glory days and etch their name further into NHL history.

2024-05-20

May 20 Numbers

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Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 6 - 5 - 32 May 20, 1941 - Chicago White Sox, Taft Wright, Number 6 set an AL record of RBIs in 13 consecutive games...

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2024-05-19

May 19 Numbers

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Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 8 - 6 - 30 May 19, 1942 - Boston Braves outfielder Paul Waner, Number 8 became the third player in NL history at the tim...

  • The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!

 

2024-05-18

May 18 Numbers

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Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 3 - 7 - 16 May 18, 1897 - Early MLB star of the New York Giants, Bill Joyce established a record of 4 triples in 1 ...

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2024-05-17

May 17 Numbers

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Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 44 - 36 May 17, 1925 - Cleveland Indians centerfielder Tris Speaker reached his 3,000th hit in his MLB career. In 1...

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2024-05-16

May 16 Numbers

.Bob_Meusel,_Eddie_Leonard,_Emil_Meusel_Nvasouvenir192307nati_0063.jpg

Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 5 - 9 - 22 May 16, 1927 - New York Yankee outfielder, Bob Meusel, wearing Number 5 stole 2nd base, 3rd base and&nbs...

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2024-05-15

May 15 Numbers

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Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. May 15, 1912 - Detroit Tigers star slugger Ty Cobb,  let's an obnoxious fan get to him and the player leaped the rail...

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Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
We invite you to take a ride through 1920's sports history in the audio drama that takes the listener through the sounds and legendary events of the era through the eyes of a young newspaper journalist. You will feel like you were there! Brought to you by Number 80 Productions and Pigskin Dispatch
Please note, that we include affiliate links to support the maintenance and development of this site and to help promote our guests and fellow sports historians. Your support is appreciated! _________________________

Bears versus Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry
Author Joe Ziemba the master historian of football in Chicago has released another beauty. It is titled Bears versus Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry. _________________________

Hut! Hut! Hike! Book
Historian Timothy P. Brown has released another excellent book to help fill our football minds with knowledge. His latest is called Hut! Hut! Hike!: A History of Football Terminology.

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