New Jersey Devils & Related Hockey Links for 9/16/24
We’re into the wind-up of the season and just a few days away from preseason hockey! Here are your links for today:
Devils Links
Dispatches here out of the first two games for Devils prospects in the Prospects Challenge, which ended in a 9-1 win and a 5-2 win: [Devils NHL] [Devils NHL]
“Kevin Dineen is tasked with head coaching duties in the rookie training camp and prospect challenge. However, Sheldon Keefe has made sure his voice has been heard as well — sending the message to the rookies that work ethic will be the key to their success.” [New Jersey Hockey Now]
Seamus Casey: “I want to learn how to be a pro as quickly as I can. You hear stories about guys figuring it out fast and other guys who don’t figure it out as fast. I want to make sure I’m building the right habits and learning quickly. So I’m just trying to take everything in, sit back and observe a lot.” [Devils NHL]
Looks like the Devils will have another PTO:
Hearing Kevin Labanc will probably sign PTO with the New Jersey Devils https://t.co/08JcFkfgYn
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 15, 2024
“The PWHL’s New York Sirens have a new home to play at for the 2024-25 season. They will be playing at New Jersey Devils’ Prudential Center, after playing two games at the arena last season and set a season-high home attendance of 5,132 on April 20.” [The Hockey News]
Hockey Links
“Asked if he has a suggestion for the name of the fledgling Utah Hockey Club, Clayton Keller seems to have an idea of what it might end up being: ‘It sounds like it’s going to be the Yeti, but I don’t know,’ the forward said at the NHL North American Players Media Tour on Wednesday. ‘We’ll see what happens. Whatever they choose, I think it’ll be a good one.’” [NHL.com]
Phil Kessel, who hasn’t played since the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, is still looking for an NHL job. [Sportsnet]
“Braxton Whitehead of the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats has received a verbal commitment for the 2025-26 season from Arizona State University’s Division I program despite NCAA eligibility rules that prevent any player who has appeared in a major junior hockey game from playing college hockey.” [ESPN]
“With their starting goalie unavailable, they didn’t have a clue who would be in the net for their win-or-go-home semifinal playoff game that night. Suddenly, their replacement goaltender waddled into the room. But this wasn’t just some random beer leaguer. This was a goaltender who starred in the NHL for 19 seasons. This was a Hockey Hall of Famer, second all time in regular-season games played for a goaltender (1,044). This was Roberto Luongo, now a special advisor with the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.” [ESPN]
Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.