According to a report, New Jersey Devils general manager, Tom Fitzgerald, has agreed to a multi-year extension to remain the Devils’ GM, the team announced on Tuesday.
In addition to the general manager title, Fitzgerald is also being promoted to the President of Hockey Operations. Fitzgerald’s extension was first reported by TSN Insider, Darren Dreger.
In July 2015, Fitzgerald was brought over to the Devils from the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was immediately promoted as the Devils’ Assistant General Manager under former GM Ray Shero. Fitzgerald was then named interim general manager of the Devils’ after Shero was fired in January of 2020. The interim tag was lifted in June 2020 and Fitzgerald officially became the Devils GM and Executive Vice President.
According to the press release, “We are excited to have signed Tom to a multi-year extension, and to promote him to President, Hockey Operations,” said Devils’ Managing Partner David Blitzer. “Over the years, he has built a young, powerful, and dynamic team that our organization can be proud of. Tom has worked tirelessly on revamping the roster via signings, trades, and draft picks to build an established core with a focus on not only today but for many years to come. We have considerable talent, both on and off the ice, and I look forward to what the future will bring together.
Fitzgerald’s mark on the Devils’ current state of the franchise is quite evident. That includes naming Nico Hischier the 12th captain in New Jersey’s franchise history. It also includes Fitzgerald’s work to extend homegrown talents such as Jack Hughes & Jesper Bratt, while making significant additions such as Timo Meier, Ondrej Palat, and Dougie Hamilton via trade or free agency.
The Devils’ GM also oversaw the draft efforts that netted New Jersey current players such as Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec.
Via the Devils’ press release, Fitzgerald professed his thanks and reiterated his goals under his new extension.
“I want to thank David Blitzer and Josh Harris for their commitment to me and my family, in giving me the opportunity to continue to lead the New Jersey Devils,” said Fitzgerald. “This organization has come a long way, and I realize that there is even more work to do as we establish ourselves as consistent contenders and take another big step. I’m excited by those challenges and look to bring the Stanley Cup back for the fans of New Jersey. I also want to thank our incredible hockey operations management team and my supportive family who have put me in this position today.”
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