Lowell Devils
CityLowell, Massachusetts
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
Operated19982010
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
SeasonGamesWonLostTiedOTLSOLPointsGoals
for
Goals
against
Standing
1998–99803332132812192371st, Atlantic
1999–0080333674772282403rd, Atlantic
2000–0180353555802252444th, New England
2001–02804125113962292091st, North
2002–0380195173481752755th, North
2003–0480323666762082426th, Atlantic
2004–05804727511002421903rd, Atlantic
2005–0680293768722222575th, Atlantic
2006–0780383066882122205th, Atlantic
2007–0880254375621832707th, Atlantic
2008–0980353627792132436th, Atlantic
2009–1080393146882392324th, Atlantic

Playoffs

Season1st round2nd round3rd roundFinals
1999L, 0–3, Saint John
2000W, 3–0, Saint JohnL, 0–4, Providence
2001L, 1–3, Worcester
2002L, 2–3, St. John's
2003Did not qualify
2004Did not qualify
2005W, 4–2, HartfordL, 1–4, Providence
2006Did not qualify
2007Did not qualify
2008Did not qualify
2009Did not qualify
2010L, 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.
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