Devils to Host Hispanic Heritage Night | RELEASE

NEWARK, NJ (October 28, 2022) -The New Jersey Devils will host their Hispanic Heritage Night presented by Hijole! tonight, when they face off against the Colorado Avalanche for a 7 PM puck drop at Prudential Center. The Devils will wear specialty warm-up jerseys to commemorate the night, which will be Hispanic Heritage-themed and were created in collaboration with local artist, Illkya Acosta, who was selected in partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and Newark Arts.
The specialty warm-up jerseys, whose images were inspired by Inti, which is an ancient Incan sun deity featured on multiple Latin American flags and coat of arms. The sun represents energy, light, empowerment, and warmth. The colors used in the jersey portray the dance of gratitude, joy, resilience, and sacrifice of a Latinx individual or family. They also represent a variety of flora from select Latin America countries. Additionally, the colors are a nod to the celebration of Dia De Los Muertos. There will also be t-shirts inspired by the warm-up jerseys available for purchase. The jerseys will be available for auction beginning at 7 p.m. tonight and will run through November 4th. Fans can participate in the warm-up jersey auction
here
and purchase t-shirts
here
.

"It's an honor to collaborate with the Devils in recognizing the Latinx and Hispanic people in New Jersey," said artist Illkya Acosta. "I feel gratified to rep my home state and heritage. I want the community to know that they are valued, seen, heard, and cherished. And I hope that this work can help shed some light, bridge some gaps, and inspire."
Learn more about Illkya Acosta and her work
here
.
The Devils Youth Foundation will donate the net proceeds from the auction to La Casa de Don Pedro, an organization that responds to the needs of Greater Newark, New Jersey's communities with comprehensive programs that empower people and revitalize neighborhoods. La Casa de Don Pedro was recently named the recipient of a $100,000 Devils Youth Foundation grant, which provides the La Casa de Don Pedro facility with a brand new "El Patio de La Casa"- a revitalized area to serve as a vibrant community hub modeled after a Caribbean Plaza with safe spaces for children to play, attend concerts, have a neighborhood communal refrigerator and enjoy festivals. El Patio de La Casa's subsequent community programming will serve over 800 youth in Newark annually. The group will be in attendance at the game and will be recognized during an intermission. Proceeds from Devils Youth Foundation 50/50 at the October 28th game will benefit
FOCUS
.
Via a partnership with NHL Espanol Twitter (

), Devils fans will experience game day content and coverage translated into Spanish on their social platforms. Special content surrounding the night will include a Wallpaper Friday featuring Hispanic Heritage themed wallpaper designs, a Devils Minute in Spanish, and a feature regarding Devils Youth Foundation and La Casa de Don Pedro.
Prior to the game, the Devils will host a local youth hockey clinic at the RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House which will feature Devils alum and Stanley Cup Champion Scott Gomez and youth hockey players from the New Jersey Devils Learn to Play Program, Hockey in New Jersey and local youth hockey organizations. Gomez will also be a guest on the Devils Pregame Show with Catherine Bogart at 6 p.m., will participate in a 1st intermission interview with MSG Networks and will be on the Devils Hockey Network presented by RWJBarnabas Health during the 2nd period.
In honor of the Devils Hispanic Heritage Night presented by Hijole!, the National Anthem will be sung by Isabella Serafini and Elias Alvarado, a hockey player from Metro Militia Hockey Club will serve as Junior Captain and take the ice for the National Anthem. The Devils will honor Sargent Alexander De Jesus Marchenafrom the New Jersey Army National Guard as Hero of the Game, as well as
PRAHD
as Group of the Game. There will be multiple concourse performances throughout the night including Batucada Beleza, a trio of Brazilian drummers who have performed in Rio de Janeiro's world-famous carnival, who will perform during both intermissions. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to try the Featured Item of the Game at Street Taco Cantina by Section 107, who will add a cultural twist to their menu to celebrate the night.
The New Jersey Devils and Hijole! Tequila kick off their multi-year partnership with Hispanic Heritage Night. Additional details about the partnership, which includes a co-branded bar on Prudential Center's main concourse, a signature tequila drink available exclusively at Prudential Center events, and more, will be announced in the coming weeks.