Devils Introduce Themselves to Albany
Published on August 27, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany Devils News Release
ALBANY, N.Y. - The Albany Devils, the AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, welcomed several dignitaries, media members and guests to the Times Union Center for an introductory press conference Thursday.
Speaking at the festivities were Albany County Executive Michael G. Breslin, Mayor Gerald D. Jennings and Times Union Center General Manager Bob Belber. Representing the Devils' organization were New Jersey Devils President/CEO/General Manager Lou Lamoriello, Albany Devils General Manager Chris Lamoriello, Albany Devils Executive Director Chris Ciceri and Albany Devils Head Coach Rick Kowalsky.
The excitement of the New Jersey Devils returning their top development team to the Capital Region fueled the event. Previously the Times Union Center served as the home of the Devils' AHL squad for 13 seasons from 1993 to 2006.
"This is a facility that is really built for athletics and the competition [the Devils] are going to bring back here, we really appreciate it," Breslin said. "We've had a long standing relationship - that was interrupted for a couple of years - with the Devils and Lou Lamoriello. We are very happy to have it resumed; I'm looking forward to another great, lasting run like we had in the beginning."
"It really is my pleasure to be here today," Lou Lamoriello said. "Certainly there was a little nostalgia walking in the back door because of the time we did spend here. We won the Calder Cup in '95. It was sort of a special year because we also won the Stanley Cup in New Jersey. There are certainly some great memories here and we are looking forward to just a tremendous relationship."
Since the announcement that the team was relocating to Albany from Lowell, the Devils began making an impression in the region. Ciceri gave examples of his staff's involvement in the community such as the Boys and Girls Club, economic luncheons and two charitable golf outings. The efforts in the community haven't gone unnoticed by the mayor.
"Obviously [the Devils] have a great group," Jennings said. "They're happy and they want to be here. Some of them enjoyed the "Alive at Five" and some of the other events in the city. It's a partnership that we have.
"I ask everyone to look that we have first-class hockey here. The New Jersey Devils, Lou has been with them for more than 20 years. He is a very respected leader in the industry - obviously in the hockey world. I just want to say to the thousands of hockey fans: it's back, let's drop the puck, let's get this going and let's make sure we are supportive of this great franchise coming to our great city."
The move back to the Times Union Center guaranteed and upgrade to the facility and patrons of the press conference were given a tour of the team's locker room and training room.
"The renovations that we've seen to the locker room - we're absolutely excited about seeing them to completion today," Chris Lamoriello said. "I think the players are going to feel at home as soon as they get here. The work that Bob Belber and his staff - Doug McCLeane and Nate Sims - did was something that was very important. The pride that they took in working in the facility and us coming up here today to formally introduce all of that to you."
"The work that was done on the locker room, training room and so forth was extensive and a fairly significant investment," Belber said. "It really is - as I've been told - very close to watch the NHL experience is in the locker room. We've gotten that level up in a great degree."
Belber later commented that the arena's new HD video scoreboard and the LED ribbon boards will be in place to help improve the fan experience when the Devils begin the 2010-11 season on Saturday, Oct. 9 against Adirondack at 7 p.m.
"Having the Albany Devils here is certainly going to help not only continue the success of the great facility, but let our kids, our young people and family come down here and support this team," Jennings said.
Tickets for the upcoming season are on sale by calling (518) 4-DEVILS. More information can be found on the team's website www.thealbanydevils.com or on the team's facebook (www.facebook.com/albanydevils) and twitter (@albanydevils) pages.
American Hockey League Stories from August 27, 2010
- Lightning Acquire Berry, Giliati from Toronto for Lashoff - Norfolk Admirals
- Pirates Announce 2010-11 Promotion Schedule - Portland Pirates
- Wolf Pack Sign Forward Maxime Gratchev - Connecticut Whale
- Sun Tan City Ice Girls & Mascot Auditions Announced - Portland Pirates
- Falcons Help Make Delivery to Westfield Food Pantry - Springfield Falcons
- Former Admiral Mike Flanagan Returns to Team as Assistant Coach - Norfolk Admirals
- Checkers Agree to Terms with Herauf - Charlotte Checkers
- New Jersey Signs Eight Players to AHL Contracts - Albany Devils
- Devils Schedule Three Pre-Season Contests - Albany Devils
- Griffins Sign Head Coach Curt Fraser to New Two-Year Contract - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Devils Introduce Themselves to Albany - Albany Devils
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
