Day Twenty Nine: New Jersey

New Jersey Devils
Formerly: Kansas City Scouts (1974–76), Colorado Rockies (1976–82)
Founded in 1982
Stanley Cups: 3
Original Six Status: No

Conveniently, but not purposefully, place at the end of this challenge, the New Jersey Devils are quite possibly the hardest team there is to write about, for reasons that have nothing to do with the team themselves.

That probably made no sense to you, so moving on. The New Jersey Devils had possible the roughest season in franchise history, with the early failure (with an eventual rebound) of their newly acquired superstar, Ilya Kovalchuk, their beloved goalie, Martin Brodeur, missing a good chunk of time due to injury, their golden boy, Zach Parise out from October 30 until now with an knee injury, and a firing of their head coach, John MacLean. As the team moves back into their traditional neutral zone trap, a signature of Jacques Lemaire, a turn around in their record has occurred, unfortunately it is coming a little too late for this year’s playoffs.

FACT! The New Jersey Devils have had 18 straight seasons over .500.  They are tied with the Detroit Red Wings as the longest such streak of any team in America’s four major sports.

Notable Players:

Travis Zajac

Adam Mair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, Patrik Elias

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hmmm well this post gets a lot of thank yous. Thank you to @NonAmericanHero, @MsiAtHome, and @Joonas6 for picking out players.  Special thanks to Dave (who can be found at his Tumblr) for the hours of really good conversation about the Devils and just hockey in general. I wouldn’t know this much without him.

Day Twenty: Atlanta

Atlanta Thrashers
Formerly/aka N/A
Founded in 1999
Stanley Cups: 0
Original Six Status: No

The Atlanta Thrashers are the NHL’s second attempt to bring hockey to the state of Georgia, the last attempt being the Atlanta Flames who relocated in 1980 to Calgary. Currently struggling in 11th place, the Thrashers are still looking for the key to getting back into the playoffs (Their last appearance being in 2006-2007).  Money woes have not made it easy for the team, any one would have a hard time playing with rumors of relocating swirling around, but with a fairly young team, who knows what the Thrashers will be producing next season.

On a depressing note, besides number 99 (which is retired league wide), the only other number retired for the Atlanta Thrashers is number 37, Dan Snyder.  Snyder died due to injuries received in a car accident with fellow teammate Dany Heatley, who walked away unscathed but faced and was found guilty of criminal charges.

Happier note: Here’s a video of former Atlanta Thrasher Ilya Kovalchuk playing for his current team (NJ Devils), messing up the face off and allowing the Calgary Flames to score.

Notable Players:

Dustin Byfuglien

Bryan Little