New Jersey Devils Name New H.C. in Sheldon Keefe
C.J. Keeling/Staff Writer
The New Jersey Devils coaching search comes to an end with the hiring of, former Maple Leaf’s Head Coach, Sheldon Keefe to be the team’s 22nd Head Coach in franchise history. On March 4th, 2024, the New Jersey Devils began their very thorough coaching search to replace Lindy Ruff, their previous head coach, after he was fired due to a subpar 30-27-4 record to start the 2023-2024 season.
Keefe ranks top five in wins for the Toronto Maple Leaf’s with 212 wins; his .607 regular season winning percentage also ranks number one in Toronto Maple Leaf’s history.
Keefe led the Toronto to the playoffs in all five years of his tenure, but this has only amounted to a .432 playoff winning percentage, which may have been a major reason the Leaf’s decided to move on from Keefe, making him available for the Devils.
The Devils are getting a coach who was the second fastest coach to reach 200 wins in an NHL head coaching career, but fans have had mixed reactions to the news. Some fans are extremely upset with the hiring. While some fans are extremely excited to see what Keefe can bring to such a young Devils team.
The Devils are not only getting a coach who played the sport, but the devils are getting a coach young in age, with Keefe only being 43 years old, who might be able to connect with a team, whose team average in age is just 27 years old.
“This is an exciting time, and I’m honored to be a member of the Devils” Keefe said. “To have a chance to lead this young, dynamic team and to see the potential that can still be unlocked is all very attractive for me” Keefe said in a statement. “In talking with my family, this was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”
Keefe will look to lead young talented players like Jack Hughes, Luke Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Simon Nemec back to a winning level the team was once at.
