This agreement marks the first time an NHL team is partnering in the business of a NWHL franchise. The goal of the new strategic alliance is to support the growth of the NWHL, and increase the development and visibility of girls' and women's hockey in New Jersey and across the metropolitan area. In addition, the Devils and Prudential Center will share their vast resources in order to enhance the Riveters' operations - including marketing, sales, events, game presentation and facilities.
As part of the alliance, the Devils and Riveters will have a unique NWHL-NHL doubleheader on Saturday, Oct. 28. Prudential Center will be the site of the Riveters' season opener against the Boston Pride at 1:30 p.m., followed by the Devils hosting the Arizona Coyotes at 7:00 p.m. Riveters season ticket holders will receive tickets to the Devils game that night, and Devils season ticket holders will get their usual Prudential Center seats as a bonus for the Riveters-Pride game. For non-season ticket holders of the two clubs, there will be a special ticket available for purchase for this unique doubleheader. An affordable $40 ticket offer grants access to the Riveters game that afternoon and upper level seats for the Devils game that evening. Additionally, a $150 package includes lower level tickets to the Devils game and a season ticket membership to all Riveters games this season.
The new alliance begins this weekend at Prudential Center in support of World Girls Hockey Weekend. The Riveters will join 60-plus local girls youth hockey players from the AHAA for the Devils home opener against the Colorado Avalanche. In addition to taking in the game and a special Q-and-A with all the Metropolitan Riveters, the young players will participate in an exclusive skating clinic after the game.
"The partnership between Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and NWHL's Riveters presented itself as an extraordinary opportunity to support youth and women's professional ice hockey at the Prudential Center," said Hugh Weber, President of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, and the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center. "We are confident that New Jersey Devils fans and those supporting the development of young women in athletics are as proud as we are for the Metropolitan Riveters to call the Prudential Center home. Under the continued leadership and guidance of HBSE Founders, Josh Harris and David Blitzer, we will continue to champion innovative partnerships that promote youth hockey in the Tri-State area."
"The New Jersey Devils and HBSE have shown their commitment to women's hockey in the metropolitan area in a very big way," said NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan. "We are grateful to begin this long-term collaboration with them and are confident that together we will grow the game."
Among the other highlights of the partnership:
● As part of the Riveters' re-branding to reflect its partnership with New Jersey's NHL team, they will adopt the Devils' colors. A new uniform will be unveiled prior to the start of the regular season.
● The Devils and Metropolitan Riveters will collaborate in the development of girls' and women's hockey programs - with Riveters players providing coaching and instruction - along with other community projects.
● Select Metropolitan Riveters game will be featured on The One Jersey Network on newjerseydevils.com, the digital network of the New Jersey Devils.
● The Devils are sharing an extensive infrastructure with the Riveters - from the team's arena, practice facility (RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House, where the Riveters play the rest of their home games) and training areas to support in sponsorship sales and marketing.
● The partnership includes marketing and cross-promotion on digital and social media channels and on game broadcasts - bringing added visibility to the Riveters, NWHL and women's hockey.
