New General Manager for the Devils
The New Jersey Devils are making significant moves in their organization. On Thursday, it was announced that Sunny Mehta has been appointed as the new general manager, with an official introduction set for Tuesday at the Prudential Center.
Mehta, 47, brings over a decade of NHL management experience. Interestingly, before his career in hockey management, he was a professional poker player, engaged in high-stakes Texas Hold’em during the 2000s. He has also co-authored two books aimed at imparting various strategic insights drawn from his poker background.
Originally from Wyckoff, New Jersey, Mehta launched his NHL front office career with the Devils after transitioning from poker. He spent four seasons with the team as the Director of Hockey Analytics from 2014 to 2018.
In a statement, Mehta expressed his excitement: “For a kid from New Jersey who grew up watching the Devils practice just 20 minutes away in Totowa, this is a dream come true. After meetings with co-owners David Blitzer, Josh Harris, Bob Myers, and the rest of the team, I knew this was where I wanted to be. I am thankful to Vinnie Viola, Bill Zito, and everyone at the Florida Panthers for the wonderful six years and this opportunity to advance my career.”
He also mentioned the challenges ahead: “New Jersey has a promising young core eager to return to championship contention, coupled with a passionate fan base longing for success. I was fortunate to witness the Devils win three Stanley Cups and am eager to help the team reach those heights again.”
Mehta has spent the last six years as the Panthers’ assistant general manager and director of analytics, contributing to a team that achieved back-to-back Stanley Cup victories.
David Blitzer, one of the co-owners, shared his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to welcome Sunny and his wife Nicole back to New Jersey. We recognized early on that this position was highly sought after and felt fortunate to encounter many qualified candidates. Sunny’s familiarity with our organization and his experience with a two-time Stanley Cup-winning team are critical for our future success. We aim to become a consistent playoff contender and look forward to Sunny leading us there.”
This announcement follows the recent firing of general manager Tom Fitzgerald, who left amid a disappointing campaign that found the team near the bottom of the Metropolitan Division.
Fitzgerald had been overseeing the Devils’ front office since January 2020, during which time the team reached the playoffs twice, including a notable win against the Rangers in the 2022-23 season, marking their first postseason series victory in over a decade.
Reflecting on his departure, Fitzgerald remarked, “After discussions with David Blitzer, it became apparent that a new direction was necessary for the team. I am incredibly thankful to David, co-owner Josh Harris, and the entire Devils organization for being part of my life over the last ten years.”
He added, “The Devils are privileged to have exceptional players, passionate fans, and, importantly, a dedicated group of individuals who worked tirelessly toward a shared goal.”
