Lowell Devils
| Company type | Minor league ice hockey team |
|---|---|
| Industry | Ice hockey |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Defunct | 2010 |
| Fate | Relocated to Albany, New York and rebranded as Albany Devils |
| Headquarters | Lowell, Massachusetts , United States |
Area served | United States (Lowell, Massachusetts) |
| Products | Ice hockey team |
The Lowell Devils were a professional minor league ice hockey team competing in the American Hockey League, located in Lowell, Massachusetts. Their home games were held at the Tsongas Center. They functioned as the primary developmental affiliate for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League. Originally established in 1998 under the name Lowell Lock Monsters, the franchise was acquired by the New Jersey Devils organization in 2006.
After completing the 2009–10 campaign, the team relocated to Albany, New York, taking over from the former Albany River Rats and rebranding as the Albany Devils.
History
The team was launched as the Lowell Lock Monsters in 1998 and initially acted as the AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders for three seasons. In its final year under this arrangement, it also shared affiliation with the Los Angeles Kings. Between 2001 and 2006, the franchise maintained an affiliation with the Carolina Hurricanes, while simultaneously sharing ties with the Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche during portions of this timeframe.
In 2006, ownership shifted to the New Jersey Devils, who rebranded the team to reflect their identity starting with the 2006–07 season. This change coincided with a swap of affiliations, as the Hurricanes began their partnership with Albany’s previous AHL franchise. During the 2008–09 season, Lowell averaged an attendance of 2,293 spectators per game and was honored with the AHL Excellence Award for group sales within the Eastern Conference.
In February 2010, control of the Tsongas Center was transferred to the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Subsequent lease discussions between UMass Lowell and the New Jersey Devils organization did not result in an agreement, leading to plans for relocation. The Devils secured a deal to move their AHL franchise to Albany following Carolina’s decision to shift their affiliate to Charlotte, North Carolina. As a result, after concluding the 2009–10 season, operations for the Lowell Devils ceased.
Regular season
| Season | Games | Wins | Losses | Ties | 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 | First Round | Second Round | Third Round | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | L, 0–3 vs. Saint John | — | — | — |
| 2000 | W, 3–0 vs. Saint John | L, 0–4 vs. Providence | — | — |
| 2001 | L, 1–3 vs. Worcester | — | — | — |
| 2002 | L, 2–3 vs. St. John's | — | — | — |
| 2003 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2004 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2005 | W, 4–2 vs. Hartford | L, 1–4 vs. Providence | — | — |
| 2006 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2007 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2008 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2009 | Did not qualify | |||
| 2010 | L, 1–4 vs. Worcester | — | — | — |
Team Records
- Single-Season Achievements
- Most Goals: Chuck Kobasew (38) - 2004–05
- Most Assists: Keith Aucoin (56) - 2005–06
- Highest Points: Keith Aucoin (85) - 2005–06
- Most Penalty Minutes: Louis Robitaille (250) - 2009–10
- Best Goals Against Average (GAA): Cam Ward (1.99) - 2004–05
- Top Save Percentage (SV%): Cam Ward (.937) - 2004–05
- Career Records
- Leading Career Goals: Mike Zigomanis (77)
- Leading Career Assists: Mike Zigomanis (114)
- Leading Career Points: Mike Zigomanis (191)
- Most Career Penalty Minutes: Mark Fraser (321)
- Most Career Wins by Goaltender: Jeff Frazee (42)
- Tied for Most Career Shutouts: Brent Krahn, Cam Ward (6)
- Most Career Games Played: Mike Zigomanis (254)
Affiliated NHL Teams
- New York Islanders (1998–2001)
- Los Angeles Kings (1999–2001)
- Carolina Hurricanes (2001–2006)
- Calgary Flames (2003–2005)
- Colorado Avalanche (2005–2006)
- New Jersey Devils (2006–2010)