Devils celebrate Hockey Week Across America

USA Hockey's Hockey Week Across America kicked off on Sunday, February 17 and the Devils celebrated all last week. The festivities kicked off at the Devils home game on Sunday for USA Hockey's Hockey Day In America where they hosted a New Jersey Hockey Celebration presented by RWJBarnabas Health at their 6PM puck drop against the Buffalo Sabres. All fans in attendance received socks courtesy of RWJBarnabas Health who's a proud sponsor of New Jersey youth hockey.

The Devils hosted seven-year-old Sloane who is a graduate of the Learn to Play program as their Junior Captain of the Game. As Junior Captain, Sloane skated out on Prudential Center's main ice prior to puck drop and stood alongside Devils players on the blue line for the National Anthem. She, however, was not alone, as she was joined by Riveters player and Princeton University graduate Kelsey Koelzer.
Tweet from @NJDevils: Tonight's Jr. Captain of the Game is 7-year old Sloan. Sloan is a #NJDevils Learn to Play graduate from earlier this season and is joined by @Riveters player and @Princeton grad @khockeyk11! #HDIA | #HWAA | @USAHockey pic.twitter.com/tbJAY5A4Lq
Koelzer was proud to skate alongside Sloane, as earlier this month, the Devils and Riveters announced a Learn to Play program exclusively for girls.
Tweet from @khockeyk11: What an experience! What a night! Thank you Sloane and @NJDevils for having me #GrowTheGame #HockeyDayInAmerica #NWHL pic.twitter.com/xGhJw5Z8C1
RELATED: Devils and Riveters team up for girls learn to play program
Later in the evening, the Devils honored Gary Hess who is the 2019 Dr. John J. McMullen Service to Youth Hockey Award Winner. The award has been presented by the New Jersey Devils since 1984 to an individual or individuals who have supported amateur hockey throughout the state of New Jersey and is named for the late Dr. John J. McMullen, who brought professional ice hockey to the Garden State in 1982.
Tweet from @NJDevils: The 2019 Dr. John J. McMullen Service to Youth Hockey Award winner is Gary Hess. ��� 30+ years of coaching at St. Joseph Montvale HS & @RamapoSaints��� Hockey Director at Sport-O-Rama��� Developed players like @kylepalmieriMr. Hess unfortunately passed away this past summer. pic.twitter.com/AHSSumFsMH
Hess, unfortunately, passed away in 2018 but had a huge impact on hundreds of New Jersey youth hockey players for over 30 years including NHL All-Star Kyle Palmieri. Most recently, Gary coached at St. Joseph Montvale High School, Ramapo Saints and Sport-O-Rama.
"We just want to thank everyone - it's such an incredible honor - we're so happy and proud to receive this award," Gary's daughter, Rebecca Hess, said. "It's been incredible. We feel so welcome and I know Gary would have loved this and really appreciated it."
On Monday, USA Hockey's Salute to Players Day, the Devils highlighted their NHL-high 15 American-born players that were on their roster at the time.
Tweet from @NJDevils: In honor of @USAHockey's #HWAA, take a look at the 4 defensemen and 2 goalies that are American-born and currently suit up for the #NJDevils ������
Tweet from @NJDevils: In honor of @USAHockey's #HWAA, take a look at the 9 forwards that are American-born and currently suit up for the #NJDevils ������
The Devils and coach John Hynes hosted a Coaches Clinic presented by RWJBarnabas Health that was highlighted during Tuesday's Salute to Local Coaches Day.
Tweet from @NJDevils: Hockey Week Across America continues at @PruCenter��� in the celebration of @USAHockey���s Salute to Local Coaches Day, the #NJDevils & coach John Hynes hosted a Coaches Clinic presented by @RWJBarnabas featuring the #ADM Regional Managers Ken Martel and Rich Hansen! #HWAA | 🇺🏒 pic.twitter.com/ljQC4SxYgF
The clinic was offered to coaches that are a part of the Devils Youth Hockey Alliance presented by RWJBarnabas Health where they came to Prudential Center to watch practice, then were able to do a Questions & Answers Session with John Hynes and members of USA Hockey afterwards.

"Viewing a practice, seeing the professionals run a drill, and then hearing Devils head coach John Hynes stop to provide instruction reminded me of exactly what I do in our practices," coach Mike Wujek of Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association said. "The clinics provide and reinforce the values and guidelines I am trying to portray and take back to my team - to practice hard, get better and have fun. When the Devils and USA Hockey put on these clinics, it's proof that the Devils are continuing the tradition of improving the local hockey community Dr. John McMullen started years ago. We are all teaching players to be good people first, but the Devils recognize we are all part of a bigger team."
On Wednesday, Salute to Officials Day, the Devils honored USA Hockey's Officials who help keep players safe while playing the game they love. At the game on Sunday, the Devils invited out Junior Officials, including 17-year-old Jared Cohen, to skate on the ice prior to puck drop with the NHL Officials.

"Being a young official and being honored by USA Hockey, the NHL, and the New Jersey Devils was a once in a lifetime experience," Cohen explained. "Being able to ask NHL referees questions was truly amazing, as I was able to pick up a few pointers and learn more about the craft of refereeing. In addition, leading the NHL refs onto the ice was something I never thought I would have the chance to do! I hope to use this experience to help younger officials develop and grow their passion for refereeing."
Thursday's USA Hockey theme was Salute to Local Rinks, which the Devils supported by encouraging fans with children to participate in Saturday's Try Hockey For Free Day at local rinks hosting the event.
Tweet from @NJDevils: Get out to a local rink this weekend for Try Hockey for Free Day!#SaluteToLocalRinks | #NJDevils
The event takes place two times a year, once in February and once in November, and allows children to hop on the ice free-of-charge at a local rink. It allows kids who might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn the sport, get a taste of hockey.
RELATED: Devils celebrate Try Hockey For Free Day
On Friday, USA Hockey's Wear Your Favorite Hockey Jersey Day, the Devils encouraged fans to make sure to rock their Devils jersey and show their team spirit.
Tweet from @NJDevils: Do you know what tomorrow is? It's @USAHockey's #HockeyJerseyDay! If you're supporting the team tomorrow at work or school, tweet us photos using #NJDevils and #HockeyJerseyDay. We'll RT our favorites. Learn more: https://t.co/CBuMwZYtOw pic.twitter.com/EmMkNcRBf3
Representatives from the Devils also visited Nicolas Copernicus School in Jersey City where they hosted a Devils assembly in the morning. Afterward, they surprised over 200 students with a Devils jersey.
Tweet from @NJDevils: In celebration of @USAHockey���s #HockeyJerseyDay, @BryceSalvador & @NJDevil00 stopped by Nicolaus Copernicus School - PS 25 in Jersey City this morning. Over 200 jerseys were given to the entire 4th and 5th grade! pic.twitter.com/WaMWNBFuoR
"We love the partnership with the Devils," Diane Pistilli, Nicolaus Copernicus School Principal said. "Having the Devils organization come to the school is exciting and shows the children that they support PS 25. The assembly promotes healthy eating exercise and the importance of a good education, and events like these encourages the students to work hard and teaches the importance of teamwork."
On Saturday, it was USA Hockey's Try Hockey For Free Day which was hosted at local rinks in New Jersey. Five rinks participated in the event across the state, which had 285 kids participate throughout the day.
The Devils celebrated the last day of Hockey Week Across America a little bit early. Sunday, February 24 was Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes Day, which the Devils did when they honored Gary Hess at the game the Sunday prior in front of 16,514 fans in attendance.
"His legacy has never been made clearer to me after his passing," Rebecca, his daughter, said. "People coming from everyone to share their stories. We have a huge box of letters from people all over that loved him, how much of an impact he had on their lives. It's been incredible to see everyone come forward and share their stories. It makes me really proud to be his daughter."
The Devils continue to support youth hockey year-round with different grassroots and community initiatives. To see what the Devils do throughout the year with youth hockey, visit
newjerseydevils.com/njhockey
. To see what the Devils are doing in the community throughout the year, visit
newjerseydevils.com/community
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