Founded more than a decade ago to draw fans to what was then Mercer County’s new sports and concert arena, the now-struggling Trenton Devils minor league hockey team faces an uncertain future.
At the team’s peak, more than 7,000 fans packed what’s now the Sun National Bank Center to watch pucks — and frequently fists — fly.
But despite its position as one of the arena’s main attractions, the team has suffered from slumping sales in recent years and finished last in its conference this year, with a season record of 27 wins to 37 losses.
Team officials huddled close yesterday as rumors swirled about the fate of the capital city’s hockey team.
“We’re still in discussions determining what will transpire. I’m not free to talk about it,” said Lou Lamoriello, the CEO and general manager of the NJ Devils, who own the minor league affiliate.
Hockey and local officials refused to comment further yesterday.
Lamoriello said more information on the status of the Devils, often called the T-Devils, will be released later this week.Read the entire article here.
As the Devils' ECHL affiliate, Trenton is the organization's lower-level minor league team, developing players as they prepare to make the jump to the AHL with Albany, and eventually to the NHL with New Jersey. Several players appeared in games for both Trenton and Albany in 2011-12, including goaltender Dave Caruso, who played 18 games for Albany last season.
The Times report goes on to suggest that Trenton could either relocate or simply fold, should the Devils decide not to continue operations in New Jersey's capital city. In the event that the T-Devils do fold, New Jersey would need to find another minor league team to house their lower-level prospects.
Note: Don Ferlazzo is not an employee of the Albany Devils, nor is this blog sponsored or influenced by the organization in any way.
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