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Throwback Thursday: What If Patrik Wasn’t Precise
My favorite moment in New Jersey Devils history was the culmination of an incredible 1999-2000 season in the winning of the Stanley Cup. I’ve been fortunate enough to witness some incredible players spend most of their careers in New Jersey, one of which has been Patrik Elias. Even as a 37-year-old, Elias played at a pace this year that would have earned him 61 points had it been a full season. No point of his has been as meaningful to me as the last pass he made in the 1999-2000 season: a blind pass towards the net right onto the stick of his line-mate, Jason Arnott, ending Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals and bringing the cup to New Jersey for the second time in franchise history. I had yet to begin my appreciation for hockey in 1995, so this play was the most exciting thing I had witnessed in sports in my entire life.
The 1999 team was arguably the most well rounded team in Devils history. The Devils had an incredible offense, featuring the “A-line” of Jason Arnott, Patrik Elias, and Petr Sykora. This was filled out by the likes of Bobby Holik, Randy Mckay, Claude Lemieux, Alexander Mogilny (acquired via trade), and Calder Trophy winner Scott Gomez. Their defense featured the most famous names in Devils history including captain Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, Brian Rafalski, and Ken Daneyko. Last, but certainly not least, the Devils had Martin Brodeur at the top of his game. The most astounding part of this team and the final play of the Stanley Cup Finals was the chemistry. The infamous “A-line” accounted for three of the top four offensive players that season, and their final act proved just how well they knew each other; it was as if they always knew where the others were on the ice without having to look.
I will always remember my heart skipping a beat as I watched the puck float across the ice from Elias to Arnott, hoping that it would finally end the double overtime marathon and that I could see Scott Stevens hoist the cup high over his head. Even now, I am reminded by the “History Will Be Made” Stanley Cup Playoffs ads. “What if Patrik wasn’t precise?”…well, he was.
Devils Generals Take a Trip to Albany
A few Devils Army Generals took a trip up to Albany on Saturday, March 3rd to watch the Albany Devils take on the Adirondack Phantoms. We got a chance to meet with the PR and Marketing department of the Albany Devils at the Times Union Center to get a glance at life as an Albany Devils employee and how they use social media. At five o’clock it was game time! We made sure to pick up the giveaway that night, a Devil Dawg piggy bank (Seth already has coins in it), and bought a couple mystery pucks that were signed by current Albany and New Jersey Devils players. Seth got lucky with a Zach Parise autographed puck and Kevin got a Travis Zajac autograph. Albany unfortunately lost to the Phantoms but Kevin won a pretty nice prize pack from playing Devils Trivia – and that’s all that matters, right?
New York! The Empire State! ... Where's Time Square?!
Um, snow?
Taking in the sites of Albany
Times Union Center
Got lucky with this Mystery Puck!
Hey, we know him.
Keith Kinkaid
Albany Devils starting line up during anthem
Kevin answering Devils Trivia
Oh, tough one!
Awesome Albany Devils prize pack!
Just hanging out with Eric Gelinas after the game
Successful road trip!
This post was a group effort with contributions from Seth Plotnick, Allyson Wilcox and Kevin Lankey.
Holiday Shopping Made Easy
Tis the season to stand in long lines, jostle other shoppers in the aisles of your favorite superstore, and trample unexpected employees for that perfect holiday gift for your friends and family. But before you fight for that one open parking spot at the mall, consider the gifts that bring passion, excitement and fun for the sports fan on your list. Give Devils Hockey! Not only is it easy, but with these three deals it is more affordable than ever!
Holiday Hat Trick
With the Holiday Hat Trick, you will receive a ticket to three games, a Mountain Creek Lift Ticket, and a Devils hat for every pair of ticket purchased. This is the perfect gift for the enthusiastic Devils fans on your list! Packages start as low as $99.
Click here to view the offer: http://bit.ly/uRgM52
Social Media Special Value
With the Devils Social Media Special Value, you can purchase a ticket to see your New Jersey Devils either December 28 vs. Buffalo or on January 4 vs. Boston (or if they’ve been very nice both) for just $30. In addition to your ticket, you will receive a FREE $10 food and beverage card.
Use code DEVILS when ordering. http://bit.ly/nS2qej
Niedermayer Retirement Night
When have you ever been able to give a gift that started it’s career 20 years ago? A gift which helped lead your favorite franchise rise to elite status? Here’s your chance to spoil someone with an experience so rare, it has only taken place twice before in Devils history. December 16, the New Jersey Devils will retire Scott Niedermayer’s #27.
Witness Devils history: http://bit.ly/vXvzup
Save some money (and some sanity!) this holiday season by giving your family the gift that keeps on giving- tickets to see Jersey’s Team!
Devils assist Stop Shootin’ Toy Gun Exchange Program
A crowd of over one hundred people filled Mildred Helms Park on Seymour Avenue in Newark for a rather unique toy gun exchange. Hosted by Mayor Cory Booker and members of the Newark Municipal Court, the toy gun exchange offered children a chance to trade in one of their own toys for a different one, one that would help discourage a culture where guns and senseless violence are tolerated. The Devils Army was present to offer their own toys—hockey sticks and Devils’ Army Pucks.
The children present could trade in any type of toy gun, whether it was a water gun, cap gun or simple noisemaker for board games, baseball tee sets, miniature pool tables, basketballs, bowling sets, books or Barbie dolls. In addition to these toys, each kid received a Devils stick and a Devils Army puck. The event succeeded in getting guns out of their hands and hockey sticks into them, even encouraging some children to begin playing hockey before they left the park.
The exchange was created by Stop Shootin’ Inc.’s Co-Founder Al-Tarek Onque, who said the idea came to him when he saw two children playing with toy guns. He said he hopes to “change the mindset at a young age,” so that kids learn the dangers of guns before they are exposed to actual weapons. After Onque thanked the crowd, council members and Mayor Booker, he left with the idea of allowing the youth to lead by example so that adults would follow. Councilman Ras Baraka echoed several important sentiments of “Stop shooting and start thinking,” as well as “Put down the guns and pick up a book.”
Mayor Booker, who was the last to speak, also stressed the importance of bringing the community together. He joked with the children and handed out toys and hockey sticks to the kids once the exchange began. Mayor Booker also raffled off several scooters, skateboards and a new bicycle.
For more information about Stop Shootin’ Inc. and Stop Shootin’ Music, check out their website at stopshootinmusic.org.
“I believe…” in the Fans
By Ross O’Shea
Devils Army General
New Jersey Devils fans have something to be excited for – on and off the ice.
The team has been on a tear for the past 15 games, going 12-1-2 in that stretch. Fans are already talking about a potential playoff spot. During the past few home games, fans have been shouting, “I believe…”, while off the ice the Devils organization is shouting right back, “I believe…” in the fans. The Devils understand how important their fans are, and want them to be heard. Now, in an unprecedented move, the team is reaching out to their fans like no other team in the past.
With a new initiative called the Devils Army Generals program, the interaction between fans and the organization will be more exciting and personal. Twenty-six die-hard fans have been selected by the New Jersey Devils to participate in a pioneering, fan-based program. Inside Mission Control, the new Digital Command Center at Prudential Center, fans will have access to more of the inside workings of the Devils organization. The individuals selected have respectively earned credibility and a following in the New Jersey Devils online community. Many of the new Generals are extremely active on Twitter with fun and clever tweets game after game. Others have their own blogs and Facebook group pages. The overall theme embraces the voices of the fans, who are now being heard. This is great for the Devils as the online presence of Devils Army is growing. It will help build a bigger fan base and unite the fans. It’s a big statement for the Devils proudly being Jersey’s Team.
All the Generals share the same passion – Devils hockey. For all of the Generals it also means being part of something bigger. We now have ears available within the Devils organization. Feel free to be involved and share your ideas with us:
Follow us on Twitter: @NHLDevils and @DevilsGenerals
Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/NewJerseyDevils
Martin Brodeur
WELCOME TO DEVILS ARMY BLOG
Who are we? We are Devils Army. The loudest, most loyal and relentlessly passionate fans of the best hockey team in the NHL – the New Jersey Devils.
This blog is for Devils Army, by Devils Army. Run by fans, yet endorsed by the organization, it is intended to showcase the excitement and exhilaration that comes with being a member of Devils Army. Come to DevilsArmyBlog.com for exclusive content, features and discussions. Interact with other fans and show everyone what being a great fan is all about.
The Devils take great pride in their tradition of excellence on the ice, but they have just as much pride in their enthusiastic and unwavering fan base off it. Remember, Devils Army lives here!
Ilya Kovalchuk
