In addition, the club will resurrect the Service to New Jersey Hockey Award and honor three recipients- James Plunkett, Richard Foster and Dan May. The award is named for the late Dr. John J. McMullen, who brought professional ice hockey to the Garden State in 1982. The award has been presented to an individual or individuals who have supported amateur hockey throughout the state. Previous winners of the award include former players, Glenn "Chico" Resch and Bruce Driver, former executives Max McNab, Dr. John J. McMullen and Lou Lamoriello, media members, Glenn Hefferan and Mike Morreale, and influential youth hockey coaches and officials.
The recipients will be joined by their family and friends in club suites at the game, participate in an in-game presentation during the 1st Period, 2nd TV Timeout in front of the Dr. McMullen Ring of Honor Tribute Wall on the upper concourse and have a $1,000 scholarship endowed in each recipient's name for a deserving hockey-playing student-athlete.
The three recipients are:
James Plunkett was the First Coach-in-Chief of the AAHA, served as AAHA Executive Vice President for many years, President for five years, and started as a coach, referee and official. He is considered one of the "Builders" of hockey in New Jersey and coached former Devils 1995 Stanley Cup Champion, Jim Dowd, as a Junior and youth hockey player. Plunkett still serves as Director Emeritus for the AAHA, with nearly 50 years of service.
Richard Foster served as Vice President of Rules and Regulations for the AAHA for 20 years, Director Emeritus for 20 years and Commissioner of the AMHL's Junior Programs for 25 Years. He is also considered a "Builder" of the sport and has been a benefactor to Junior hockey during the 1980s and 90s, helping to support various programs. Foster has over 50 years of continued service to hockey.
Dan May has coached for 40 years at every age level including several years at Bergen Catholic High School. He has served as AYHL Vice President for the past 15 years, sat on the AAHA Board for 15 years and has positively impacted the lives of thousands of players, quietly, and with great integrity. May is the current President of the NJ Avalanche, and former hockey Director of the NJ Devils Youth- helping develop many top players to collegiate, NHL and Minor Pro levels.
During the National Anthem, the team will also honor the New Jersey Devils Peewee Quebec Team, who will participate in the 59th Annual Peewee Quebec International Tournament, February 7-18, at the Videotron Center in Quebec City. Devils who have previously played in the tournament include Ben Lovejoy, John Moore, Mirco Mueller, Kyle Palmieri, Steven Santini, Miles Wood and Pavel Zacha.
The night is a celebration of the team's dedication to youth hockey and grassroots programs with rink affiliates, the Street Devils program, Learn To Play clinics, Hockey in New Jersey, and
www.gottaloveNJhockey.org.
