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Lowell Devils
View on WikipediaThe Lowell Devils were a minor league ice hockey team in the American Hockey League playing in Lowell, Massachusetts, at the Tsongas Center. As their name implied, they were the top minor league affiliate of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League. The team was founded in 1998 as the Lowell Lock Monsters and was purchased by the Devils in 2006.
Key Information
After the 2009–10 season, the Devils agreed to move the Lowell franchise to Albany, New York, where their previous AHL affiliate, the Albany River Rats, had played. The new team then became the Albany Devils.
History
[edit]Founded as the Lowell Lock Monsters in 1998, the team served as the top AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders for three seasons, the last of which was shared with the Los Angeles Kings. In 2001, the team became the AHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes, serving in that capacity for five seasons, portions of which the affiliation was shared with the Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche.
The team was purchased by the New Jersey Devils in 2006 and took the Devils' name for the start of the 2006–07 season. In effect, the Devils' move was an affiliate swap as the Hurricanes contracted with the Devils' former affiliate in Albany. In Lowell, the Devils averaged 2,293 fans per game during the 2008–09 season while receiving the AHL Excellence Award for the Eastern Conference for group sales.[1]
In February 2010, the University of Massachusetts Lowell took ownership of the Tsongas Center from the City of Lowell.[2] Negotiations began between the University and the Devils for a lease extension, with the current lease set to expire at the end of the 2009–10 season. They could not come to an agreement and the Devils explored other options. They eventually struck an agreement with Albany, who was to lose the River Rats after the Hurricanes elected to move their top minor league affiliate to Charlotte, North Carolina, as the Charlotte Checkers. Following the season, the Lowell Devils ceased to exist.[3]
Season-by-season results
[edit]Regular season
[edit]| Season | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | OTL | SOL | Points | Goals for |
Goals against |
Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998–99 | 80 | 33 | 32 | 13 | 2 | — | 81 | 219 | 237 | 1st, Atlantic |
| 1999–00 | 80 | 33 | 36 | 7 | 4 | — | 77 | 228 | 240 | 3rd, Atlantic |
| 2000–01 | 80 | 35 | 35 | 5 | 5 | — | 80 | 225 | 244 | 4th, New England |
| 2001–02 | 80 | 41 | 25 | 11 | 3 | — | 96 | 229 | 209 | 1st, North |
| 2002–03 | 80 | 19 | 51 | 7 | 3 | — | 48 | 175 | 275 | 5th, North |
| 2003–04 | 80 | 32 | 36 | 6 | 6 | — | 76 | 208 | 242 | 6th, Atlantic |
| 2004–05 | 80 | 47 | 27 | 5 | 1 | — | 100 | 242 | 190 | 3rd, Atlantic |
| 2005–06 | 80 | 29 | 37 | — | 6 | 8 | 72 | 222 | 257 | 5th, Atlantic |
| 2006–07 | 80 | 38 | 30 | — | 6 | 6 | 88 | 212 | 220 | 5th, Atlantic |
| 2007–08 | 80 | 25 | 43 | — | 7 | 5 | 62 | 183 | 270 | 7th, Atlantic |
| 2008–09 | 80 | 35 | 36 | — | 2 | 7 | 79 | 213 | 243 | 6th, Atlantic |
| 2009–10 | 80 | 39 | 31 | — | 4 | 6 | 88 | 239 | 232 | 4th, Atlantic |
Playoffs
[edit]| Season | 1st round | 2nd round | 3rd round | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | L, 0–3, Saint John | — | — | — |
| 2000 | W, 3–0, Saint John | L, 0–4, Providence | — | — |
| 2001 | L, 1–3, Worcester | — | — | — |
| 2002 | L, 2–3, St. John's | — | — | — |
| 2003 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2004 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2005 | W, 4–2, Hartford | L, 1–4, Providence | — | — |
| 2006 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2007 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2008 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2009 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2010 | L, 1–4, Worcester | — | — | — |
Players
[edit]Team records
[edit]
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Affiliates
- New York Islanders (1998–2001)
- Los Angeles Kings (1999–2001)
- Carolina Hurricanes (2001–2006)
- Calgary Flames (2003–2005)
- Colorado Avalanche (2005–2006)
- New Jersey Devils (2006–2010)
References
[edit]- ^ "AHL announces winners of excellence awards". American Hockey League. July 9, 2009. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
- ^ "UMass-Lowell takes over Tsongas Arena, alters name". Boston Herald. February 5, 2010. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
- ^ "Devils shift AHL operations to Albany". New Jersey Devils. June 10, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
Lowell Devils
View on GrokipediaHistory
Origins and early years as Lock Monsters
The Lowell Lock Monsters joined the American Hockey League (AHL) as an expansion franchise in 1998, marking the arrival of professional hockey in Lowell, Massachusetts. The team was owned by a group led by local businessman Elkin McCallum, along with George D. Behrakis and Gilbert G. Campbell, and played its home games at the newly constructed Tsongas Arena, a 6,500-seat facility completed in 1998 as part of broader efforts to revitalize the city's downtown area, once a hub for the textile industry. The arena's opening aligned with local economic development initiatives, drawing community support and helping to foster regional interest in hockey by hosting AHL games alongside University of Massachusetts Lowell events. Average attendance during the Lock Monsters' early years hovered around 4,000 fans per game, reflecting steady local engagement despite the challenges of establishing a new market.[4][5] From 1998 to 2001, the Lock Monsters served as the primary AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, sharing secondary ties with the Los Angeles Kings in some seasons. This period saw the development of promising talent, including future NHL stars who gained valuable experience in Lowell. Defenseman Zdeno Chara, then a towering prospect, played 23 games for the team in 1998–99, contributing 2 goals and 2 assists while adjusting to North American professional play. Goaltender Roberto Luongo, the Islanders' fourth-overall pick in 1997, appeared in 32 games during the 1999–2000 season, recording a 2.93 goals-against average and helping stabilize the team's defense. These assignments underscored the franchise's role in grooming Islanders draft picks for the NHL.[6][7][8] In 2001, the Lock Monsters shifted to become the primary affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes, a partnership that lasted through 2006 and included secondary arrangements with the Calgary Flames from 2003 to 2005. This era brought improved on-ice performance, highlighted by the 2004–05 season amid the NHL lockout, when many Hurricanes players were assigned to Lowell. Center Eric Staal led the team with a franchise-record 77 points (26 goals, 51 assists) in 77 games, powering the Lock Monsters to a 47–27–6 record and 100 points while finishing third in the Atlantic Division. The squad advanced to the Calder Cup playoffs but fell in the division semifinals, showcasing the talent infusion from Carolina's system.[6][9][10][11] Over eight seasons as the Lock Monsters from 1998–99 to 2005–06, the team posted an overall regular-season record of 269 wins, 279 losses, and 92 ties or overtime losses, accumulating 630 points across 640 games. They qualified for the playoffs five times but never won the Calder Cup, with their strongest divisional finish coming in 2001–02, when they topped the North Division with 41 wins and 96 points. In 2006, the franchise underwent a ownership change that led to its rebranding as the Lowell Devils.[10][5][12]Affiliation with New Jersey Devils and rebranding
In June 2006, the New Jersey Devils organization completed its acquisition of an 80% controlling interest in the American Hockey League's Lowell Lock Monsters franchise for an undisclosed amount, with original owner Elkin McCallum retaining the remaining 20% share.[13][14] This purchase ended the independent operations of the Lock Monsters and relocated the Devils' primary minor-league affiliate from Albany, New York, to Lowell, Massachusetts, establishing a direct pipeline for player development. The rebranding to the Lowell Devils was announced on June 23, 2006, aligning the team's identity with its NHL parent club through the adoption of red, black, and white colors, along with uniforms featuring a primary logo of a cartoon devil skating through a stylized red "L."[14][15] The shift emphasized operational integration, including roster construction focused on New Jersey's prospects to foster talent progression to the NHL level. The 2006–07 inaugural season as the Lowell Devils saw the integration of key prospects such as defenseman Andy Greene, who contributed 5 goals and 16 assists in 52 games.[16] The team opened its home schedule at Tsongas Arena on October 13, 2006, and concluded the 80-game regular season with a record of 38 wins, 30 losses, 6 overtime losses, and 6 shootout losses for 88 points, finishing fifth in the Atlantic Division and out of the playoffs.[17][18] The transition prompted early challenges as longtime fans adjusted to the departure from the Lock Monsters' beloved mascot Louie, with some expressing nostalgia for the previous branding.[19] To mitigate this, the organization launched marketing initiatives that highlighted the NHL affiliation's benefits, such as enhanced player quality and promotional tie-ins with the New Jersey Devils, while introducing a new mascot named Rusty in November 2006 to rebuild community engagement and sustain attendance in Lowell.[20][19]Final seasons and relocation
The Lowell Devils' 2007–08 season marked a challenging year, finishing with a record of 25 wins, 43 losses, 7 overtime losses, and 5 shootout losses for 62 points, placing them last in the Atlantic Division and out of the playoffs. Attendance dipped to an average of 2,102 fans per game, reflecting ongoing struggles to build a strong local following after the rebranding. The following 2008–09 campaign saw modest improvement with 35 wins, 36 losses, 2 overtime losses, and 7 shootout losses, earning 79 points and a fourth-place divisional finish, though they again missed the postseason. Average attendance rose slightly to 2,293, but financial pressures persisted as the team failed to generate sufficient revenue at the Tsongas Center.[1][21] In 2009–10, the Devils achieved their best performance as an affiliate, posting 39 wins, 31 losses, 4 overtime losses, and 6 shootout losses for 88 points, securing third place in the Atlantic Division and their first playoff berth. They advanced to the Calder Cup playoffs but were eliminated in the first round by the Worcester Sharks in five games, with their final game in Lowell—a 5–1 loss on April 21, 2010. Despite the on-ice success, attendance averaged 2,497 per game, and the team continued to face financial losses amid broader economic challenges and competition for arena bookings. The New Jersey Devils organization cited these issues, along with a desire to return to Albany, New York—where they had previously enjoyed a successful 13-year affiliation with the Albany River Rats until 2006—as key factors in seeking relocation.[1][21][5] The relocation process gained public attention in March 2010 when Albany officials offered a 10-year lease at the Times Union Center, prompting negotiations. On June 10, 2010, the American Hockey League approved the move, with the team officially becoming the Albany Devils for the 2010–11 season. The decision stemmed from the New Jersey Devils' preference for closer proximity to Albany, upgraded facilities, and a more favorable financial arrangement, including $1.6 million in arena improvements. The Lowell franchise's contract with UMass Lowell, which owned the Tsongas Center, expired on June 30, 2010, without renewal, as the university declined to provide subsidies despite three contract proposals.[22][23][24] The departure ended a 12-year run of professional hockey in Lowell, from the Lock Monsters era starting in 1998 through the Devils' four seasons, leaving the city without an AHL team and shifting the Tsongas Center's focus to university events, concerts, and more profitable family shows. Community leaders, including UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan, expressed disappointment over the loss but acknowledged the economic realities, noting the team's inability to cover full operational costs. The relocation had a modest negative economic impact on local businesses reliant on game-day revenue, though the arena's diversification helped mitigate broader effects; professional hockey has not returned to Lowell since, though discussions of future AHL or ECHL franchises occasionally arise.[24][25][5]Seasons
Regular season performance
The Lowell Devils' regular season performance in the American Hockey League was marked by inconsistency over their four-year existence, with two strong seasons bookending two weaker ones in the competitive Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The team played 80 games each season, facing stiff competition from rivals such as the Portland Pirates, Providence Bruins, Worcester Sharks, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, and Springfield Falcons. Despite occasional flashes of offensive potential, defensive lapses and roster instability contributed to their uneven results, culminating in just one playoff qualification.| Season | Record (W-L-OTL-SOL) | Points | Division Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | 38–30–6–6 | 88 | 5th (Atlantic) |
| 2007–08 | 25–43–7–5 | 62 | 7th (Atlantic) |
| 2008–09 | 35–36–2–7 | 79 | 6th (Atlantic) |
| 2009–10 | 39–31–4–6 | 88 | 4th (Atlantic) |
