28 Years Ago Today
Posted by freezethepuck on May 27, 2010
Twenty-eight years ago today the New Jersey Devils came to New Jersey. Back in 1982, Dr. John McMullen purchased a hockey team known as the Colorado Rockies and moved them to New Jersey.
On June 30, 1982 the Devils became the New Jersey Devils, named after the legendary Jersey Devil.
Their first game in New Jersey occurred in the Brendan Byrne Arena (later named Continental Airlines Arena) in East Rutherford, New Jersey. That game ended in a three to three time against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Fortunately, the Devils saved their first victory for a three to two win against the New York Rangers.
Unfortunately, the Devils finished 17-49-14 that year.
Since then, the Devils received humiliation and embarrassment at the hands of Wayne Gretzky when he called them a Mickey Mouse Club, they won the Stanley Cup three times, saw a goaltender become the winningest goaltender in history (who also broke the shutout record), and 16 head coaches.
The Devils recent lack of postseason success destroys their fans, but eventually they will pull out of their lull and back into the playoff success.
