Devils sign Tom Fitzgerald to multi-year extension, add President of Hockey Ops to job title

“Over the years, he has built a young, powerful, and dynamic team that our organization can be proud of,” Devils’ Managing Partner David Blitzer said. “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.”

Fitzgerald, 55, was hired by the Devils as an assistant general manager in July 2015. He was named general manager in July 2020 after taking over the role from Ray Shero in January 2020 on an interim basis. He also served as executive vice president before today’s announcement.

Before joining the Devils, Fitzgerald was both the director of player development and assistant general manager for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He won a Stanley Cup championship with the team in 2009.

As a player, Fitzgerald spent 17 seasons in the NHL, scoring 139 goals and 190 assists for 329 points in 1,097 games. Known primarily as a defensive forward, the native of Billerica, Mass., was a member of the 1992-93 New York Islanders squad that upset the heavily-favored Pittsburgh Penguins, as well as the 1995-96 Florida Panthers that made it to the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Devils are 24-18-3 with 51 points, fourth in the Eastern Conference’s Metropolitan Division. Going into the Jan. 23 games, the Devils are two points out of a playoff spot for the Eastern Conference’s Wild Card spots.

The leading scorer Jesper Bratt with 48 points (17 goals and 31 assists) in 45 games, followed by Jack Hughes and his 45 points (15 goals and 30 assists) in 32 games. Goaltender Vitek Vanecek has a 16-7-2 record with an .883 SV% and a 3.28 GAA.

Forward Timo Meier has nine goals and nine assists for 18 points in 32 games. He is in the first year of an eight-year, $70.4 million contract extension he signed last summer.