New Faces | NOTEBOOK

The Devils are practicing at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House inside Prudential Center. 

Stay tuned to the notebook for the latest info, updates, interviews, videos and more from the practice session!

King Jack

Devils center Jack Hughes was nominated to be the team's representative for the King Clancy award for the third year in a row. Among his many accolades in the community include the Hughes Brothers' Pucks & Pages initiative, work with Hockey in New Jersey and much more. 

Full details here.

Total Recall

The Devils announced in the morning that goaltender Nico and defenseman Topias Vilen were recalled from Utica of the American Hockey League and will join the team for practice today.

Practice Info

Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom was absent from the practice session while forward Jesper Bratt only did a bit of work at the beginning of practice. Head coach Sheldon Keefe provided the following updates:

• On Markstrom: "He's had some nagging injuries. Nothing that's prevented him from being out here. But we just decided given the circumstances to shut him down for the season. It gives him a chance to go into the offseason without doing any further damage and can get going on his offseason."
• On Bratt: "It was planned in advanced. He was going to go out and get a little work on his own. We don't suspect it to be any sort of issue. He should be full go tomorrow."

Topias or Not Topias

The Devils recalled defenseman Topias Vilen from Utica and will be making his NHL debut in the team’s home finale Sunday night against Ottawa. The plan is for Vilen, who has played the last three years with the Comets, to play the final two regular-season games.

“The organization has wanted to get him a look for a while,” Keefe said. “The timing got thrown off because he’s coming off of an injury in Utica, but he’s cleared to return and play. We’re mindful of that.

“We got him a practice here today. He’ll take warmup in Detroit tomorrow so that’ll help us avoid him playing back-to-back coming off his injury and playing in the NHL for the first time. But he’ll play Sunday and Tuesday. It’ll be a good opportunity for him to get some experience. The organization believes he’s earned it over his three years here and we’ll get a look at him.”

Vilen, 23, was the Devils’ fifth-round pick (129^th overall) in 2021. And, as expected, he’s excited for his first taste of the NHL.

“It’s a dream come true for sure,” he said. “I’m ready for this chance and this opportunity.”

He Said It:

Daws on the recall: “At any point getting called up is always an unbelievable feeling. You never know when the next one is going to come. Never take it for granted and enjoy it.”

Mic'd Up

Devils forward Connor Brown wore a mic for the team's annual photo day.