A Significant Step | FEATURE

There was plenty of success surrounding the Devils this season whether it was 52 regular season wins, making the playoffs for the first time in five years or going on a 13 game win streak. Another area of significant improvement this season was the team's culture.

Culture can be see in many ways with a NHL team. One of which is how the group handles the waves of a season and stays even keel.

"One of the biggest areas - we were able to balance the emotion," Devils head coach Lindy Ruff explained about the growing culture. "The wins and losses, the highs and lows weren't nearly as dramatic."

Another way culture is seen is with the atmosphere around the group as a whole and if they're able to remain a tight knit group. For the Devils, this year was a fun one on-and-off the ice and the team was close.

"It was so much fun," Erik Haula explained about this season. "I think you guys all see it. We have a lot of fun with each other, we enjoy being around each other. It's a close group. Young, old whatever it is."

"Everybody (on the team) did a great job this year," Devils Captain Nico Hischier said following the season. "It's been fun to be around these guys off the ice and obviously on the ice, playing with them."

Culture improvements aren't an overnight adjustment. In fact, it can take years of laying the ground work and having everyone buy into it to achieve results.

"We're building something here, (for) a couple years now already," Hischier explained. "A season like that shows you're on the right track."

In addition to the work over the last few years, the Devils came together as a group ahead of the season to bond, figure out what they want to achieve, and prepare for the 2022-23 campaign as one unit.

"It was a collaborative experience," Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald said about everyone coming together. "It was great. I think that set us up for the start of the year. Not the start we wanted (losing the first two games) but we just believed in what we were building and what we built upon from coaches meetings to rookie camp to training camp to this (team) outing, that we were going in the right direction.

"The culture we talked about," Fitzgerald continued. "The things you permit or what you promote, what kind of locker room do you want to have, what kind of coaches room do you want to have. So that was a big step."

After the Devils came together with coaches, players, management, and staff to set unified goals and objectives, the work continued throughout the season. Another key part of the Devils strong culture was holding each other accountable.

"The internal (change), the pressure from each other to be better night in, night out," Ruff explained. "To be consistent. Players pushing each other. A coaching stafff that pushed each other night in and night out. So I think the culture of a team is very important. What you expect from each other, what you demand from each other. How you work out, how you practice, how you prepare. I think all those areas of the game I think we improved as a hockey club."

For some players the growth shown by the team exudes the qualities championship teams embody.

"Unbelievable," Bahl shared about the team this year. "Where the team came from last year and then coming in (this year). Part of it is the culture and the mindset. For a team to do that shows the players, they don't just want to be in the NHL they want to be a championship team."

After a Second Round exit, the Devils are determined to return to the playoffs next year and continue their pursuit of Stanley Cup victory. Part of their road to the Devils fourth Cup will involve continuing to build and nurture the growing culture and winning mindset.

"Expectation is going to be higher, but that's what you want," Hischier shared. "That's what we want. We want to have this winning mentality here, building this culture up. I'm excited already for next year."