Lowell Devils

Lowell Devils
CityLowell, Massachusetts
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
Operated1998–2010
Home arenaTsongas Center
ColorsRed, black, white
     
Owner(s)New Jersey Devils
AffiliatesNew York Islanders
(1998–2001)
Los Angeles Kings
(2000–2001)
Carolina Hurricanes
(2001–2006)
Calgary Flames
(2003–2005)
Colorado Avalanche
(2005–2006)
New Jersey Devils
(2006–2010)
Franchise history
1998–2006Lowell Lock Monsters
2006–2010Lowell Devils
2010–2017Albany Devils
2017–2021Binghamton Devils
2021–presentUtica Comets
Championships
Division titles2: (1998–99, 2001–02)

The Lowell Devils were a minor league ice hockey team in the American Hockey League playing in Lowell, Massachusetts, at the Tsongas Center. As their name implied, they were the top minor league affiliate of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League. The team was founded in 1998 as the Lowell Lock Monsters and was purchased by the Devils in 2006.

After the 2009–10 season, the Devils agreed to move the Lowell franchise to Albany, New York, where their previous AHL affiliate, the Albany River Rats, had played. The new team then became the Albany Devils.

History

Founded as the Lowell Lock Monsters in 1998, the team served as the top AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders for three seasons, the last of which was shared with the Los Angeles Kings. In 2001, the team became the AHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes, serving in that capacity for five seasons, portions of which the affiliation was shared with the Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche.

The team was purchased by the New Jersey Devils in 2006 and took the Devils' name for the start of the 2006–07 season. In effect, the Devils' move was an affiliate swap as the Hurricanes contracted with the Devils' former affiliate in Albany. In Lowell, the Devils averaged 2,293 fans per game during the 2008–09 season while receiving the AHL Excellence Award for the Eastern Conference for group sales.[1]

In February 2010, the University of Massachusetts Lowell took ownership of the Tsongas Center from the City of Lowell.[2] Negotiations began between the University and the Devils for a lease extension, with the current lease set to expire at the end of the 2009–10 season. They could not come to an agreement and the Devils explored other options. They eventually struck an agreement with Albany, who was to lose the River Rats after the Hurricanes elected to move their top minor league affiliate to Charlotte, North Carolina, as the Charlotte Checkers. Following the season, the Lowell Devils ceased to exist.[3]

Season-by-season results

Regular season

Lowell's logo when they were named the Lock Monsters
Season Games Won Lost Tied OTL SOL Points Goals
for		 Goals
against		 Standing
1998–99 80 33 32 13 2 — 81 219 237 1st, Atlantic
1999–00 80 33 36 7 4 — 77 228 240 3rd, Atlantic
2000–01 80 35 35 5 5 — 80 225 244 4th, New England
2001–02 80 41 25 11 3 — 96 229 209 1st, North
2002–03 80 19 51 7 3 — 48 175 275 5th, North
2003–04 80 32 36 6 6 — 76 208 242 6th, Atlantic
2004–05 80 47 27 5 1 — 100 242 190 3rd, Atlantic
2005–06 80 29 37 — 6 8 72 222 257 5th, Atlantic
2006–07 80 38 30 — 6 6 88 212 220 5th, Atlantic
2007–08 80 25 43 — 7 5 62 183 270 7th, Atlantic
2008–09 80 35 36 — 2 7 79 213 243 6th, Atlantic
2009–10 80 39 31 — 4 6 88 239 232 4th, Atlantic

Playoffs

Season 1st round 2nd round 3rd round Finals
1999 L, 0–3, Saint John — — —
2000 W, 3–0, Saint John L, 0–4, Providence — —
2001 L, 1–3, Worcester — — —
2002 L, 2–3, St. John's — — —
2003 Did not qualify
2004 Did not qualify
2005 W, 4–2, Hartford L, 1–4, Providence — —
2006 Did not qualify
2007 Did not qualify
2008 Did not qualify
2009 Did not qualify
2010 L, 1–4, Worcester — — —

Players

Team records

Affiliates

References

  1. ^ "AHL announces winners of excellence awards". American Hockey League. July 9, 2009. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  2. ^ "UMass-Lowell takes over Tsongas Arena, alters name". Boston Herald. February 5, 2010. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  3. ^ "Devils shift AHL operations to Albany". New Jersey Devils. June 10, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2010.