Lowell Devils
The Lowell Devils were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League (AHL) that played in Lowell, Massachusetts, from 2006 to 2010.[1][2] The franchise originated as an AHL expansion team in 1998 under the name Lowell Lock Monsters, which was rebranded to the Lowell Devils in 2006 following its purchase by the New Jersey Devils organization of the National Hockey League (NHL).[2][1] As the primary developmental affiliate of the NHL's New Jersey Devils throughout its existence, the team also held secondary affiliations with East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) clubs, including the Trenton Titans from 2006 to 2007 and the Trenton Devils from 2007 to 2010.[1] The Lowell Devils played all home games at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell, a 6,496-seat arena built in 1998.[2] Over four seasons, the team compiled a regular-season record of 137 wins, 164 losses, and 19 overtime losses, with its strongest performances in the 2006–07 and 2009–10 seasons, each yielding 88 points, a fifth-place finish in the 2006–07 season and a third-place finish in the 2009–10 season in the Atlantic Division.[1][3] The Devils qualified for the Calder Cup playoffs only once, in 2009–10, where they were eliminated in the division semifinals by the Worcester Sharks.[1] Notable players who suited up for the Lowell Devils included forward Keith Aucoin, who led the team in scoring during the 2005–06 transition season with 85 points (though under the prior branding), and center Mike Zigomanis, the franchise's all-time leader in games played (265) and points (204) across his tenure.[3] The team did not win any championships or individual awards during its time as the Devils, reflecting modest on-ice success amid financial and operational challenges in the minor leagues.[1] Following the 2009–10 season, the franchise relocated to Albany, New York, and was renamed the Albany Devils, continuing as the New Jersey Devils' affiliate until further moves to Binghamton (2017–2021) and eventually Utica (2021–present as the Utica Comets).[1] The departure left Lowell without an AHL team, though the Tsongas Center has since hosted other events, including professional women's hockey with the PWHL's New England team.[2]History
Origins and early years as Lock Monsters
The Lowell Lock Monsters joined the American Hockey League (AHL) as an expansion franchise in 1998, marking the arrival of professional hockey in Lowell, Massachusetts. The team was owned by a group led by local businessman Elkin McCallum, along with George D. Behrakis and Gilbert G. Campbell, and played its home games at the newly constructed Tsongas Arena, a 6,500-seat facility completed in 1998 as part of broader efforts to revitalize the city's downtown area, once a hub for the textile industry. The arena's opening aligned with local economic development initiatives, drawing community support and helping to foster regional interest in hockey by hosting AHL games alongside University of Massachusetts Lowell events. Average attendance during the Lock Monsters' early years hovered around 4,000 fans per game, reflecting steady local engagement despite the challenges of establishing a new market.[4][5] From 1998 to 2001, the Lock Monsters served as the primary AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, sharing secondary ties with the Los Angeles Kings in some seasons. This period saw the development of promising talent, including future NHL stars who gained valuable experience in Lowell. Defenseman Zdeno Chara, then a towering prospect, played 23 games for the team in 1998–99, contributing 2 goals and 2 assists while adjusting to North American professional play. Goaltender Roberto Luongo, the Islanders' fourth-overall pick in 1997, appeared in 32 games during the 1999–2000 season, recording a 2.93 goals-against average and helping stabilize the team's defense. These assignments underscored the franchise's role in grooming Islanders draft picks for the NHL.[6][7][8] In 2001, the Lock Monsters shifted to become the primary affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes, a partnership that lasted through 2006 and included secondary arrangements with the Calgary Flames from 2003 to 2005. This era brought improved on-ice performance, highlighted by the 2004–05 season amid the NHL lockout, when many Hurricanes players were assigned to Lowell. Center Eric Staal led the team with a franchise-record 77 points (26 goals, 51 assists) in 77 games, powering the Lock Monsters to a 47–27–6 record and 100 points while finishing third in the Atlantic Division. The squad advanced to the Calder Cup playoffs but fell in the division semifinals, showcasing the talent infusion from Carolina's system.[6][9][10][11] Over eight seasons as the Lock Monsters from 1998–99 to 2005–06, the team posted an overall regular-season record of 269 wins, 279 losses, and 92 ties or overtime losses, accumulating 630 points across 640 games. They qualified for the playoffs five times but never won the Calder Cup, with their strongest divisional finish coming in 2001–02, when they topped the North Division with 41 wins and 96 points. In 2006, the franchise underwent a ownership change that led to its rebranding as the Lowell Devils.[10][5][12]Affiliation with New Jersey Devils and rebranding
In June 2006, the New Jersey Devils organization completed its acquisition of an 80% controlling interest in the American Hockey League's Lowell Lock Monsters franchise for an undisclosed amount, with original owner Elkin McCallum retaining the remaining 20% share.[13][14] This purchase ended the independent operations of the Lock Monsters and relocated the Devils' primary minor-league affiliate from Albany, New York, to Lowell, Massachusetts, establishing a direct pipeline for player development. The rebranding to the Lowell Devils was announced on June 23, 2006, aligning the team's identity with its NHL parent club through the adoption of red, black, and white colors, along with uniforms featuring a primary logo of a cartoon devil skating through a stylized red "L."[14][15] The shift emphasized operational integration, including roster construction focused on New Jersey's prospects to foster talent progression to the NHL level. The 2006–07 inaugural season as the Lowell Devils saw the integration of key prospects such as defenseman Andy Greene, who contributed 5 goals and 16 assists in 52 games.[16] The team opened its home schedule at Tsongas Arena on October 13, 2006, and concluded the 80-game regular season with a record of 38 wins, 30 losses, 6 overtime losses, and 6 shootout losses for 88 points, finishing fifth in the Atlantic Division and out of the playoffs.[17][18] The transition prompted early challenges as longtime fans adjusted to the departure from the Lock Monsters' beloved mascot Louie, with some expressing nostalgia for the previous branding.[19] To mitigate this, the organization launched marketing initiatives that highlighted the NHL affiliation's benefits, such as enhanced player quality and promotional tie-ins with the New Jersey Devils, while introducing a new mascot named Rusty in November 2006 to rebuild community engagement and sustain attendance in Lowell.[20][19]Final seasons and relocation
The Lowell Devils' 2007–08 season marked a challenging year, finishing with a record of 25 wins, 43 losses, 7 overtime losses, and 5 shootout losses for 62 points, placing them last in the Atlantic Division and out of the playoffs. Attendance dipped to an average of 2,102 fans per game, reflecting ongoing struggles to build a strong local following after the rebranding. The following 2008–09 campaign saw modest improvement with 35 wins, 36 losses, 2 overtime losses, and 7 shootout losses, earning 79 points and a fourth-place divisional finish, though they again missed the postseason. Average attendance rose slightly to 2,293, but financial pressures persisted as the team failed to generate sufficient revenue at the Tsongas Center.[1][21] In 2009–10, the Devils achieved their best performance as an affiliate, posting 39 wins, 31 losses, 4 overtime losses, and 6 shootout losses for 88 points, securing third place in the Atlantic Division and their first playoff berth. They advanced to the Calder Cup playoffs but were eliminated in the first round by the Worcester Sharks in five games, with their final game in Lowell—a 5–1 loss on April 21, 2010. Despite the on-ice success, attendance averaged 2,497 per game, and the team continued to face financial losses amid broader economic challenges and competition for arena bookings. The New Jersey Devils organization cited these issues, along with a desire to return to Albany, New York—where they had previously enjoyed a successful 13-year affiliation with the Albany River Rats until 2006—as key factors in seeking relocation.[1][21][5] The relocation process gained public attention in March 2010 when Albany officials offered a 10-year lease at the Times Union Center, prompting negotiations. On June 10, 2010, the American Hockey League approved the move, with the team officially becoming the Albany Devils for the 2010–11 season. The decision stemmed from the New Jersey Devils' preference for closer proximity to Albany, upgraded facilities, and a more favorable financial arrangement, including $1.6 million in arena improvements. The Lowell franchise's contract with UMass Lowell, which owned the Tsongas Center, expired on June 30, 2010, without renewal, as the university declined to provide subsidies despite three contract proposals.[22][23][24] The departure ended a 12-year run of professional hockey in Lowell, from the Lock Monsters era starting in 1998 through the Devils' four seasons, leaving the city without an AHL team and shifting the Tsongas Center's focus to university events, concerts, and more profitable family shows. Community leaders, including UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan, expressed disappointment over the loss but acknowledged the economic realities, noting the team's inability to cover full operational costs. The relocation had a modest negative economic impact on local businesses reliant on game-day revenue, though the arena's diversification helped mitigate broader effects; professional hockey has not returned to Lowell since, though discussions of future AHL or ECHL franchises occasionally arise.[24][25][5]Seasons
Regular season performance
The Lowell Devils' regular season performance in the American Hockey League was marked by inconsistency over their four-year existence, with two strong seasons bookending two weaker ones in the competitive Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The team played 80 games each season, facing stiff competition from rivals such as the Portland Pirates, Providence Bruins, Worcester Sharks, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, and Springfield Falcons. Despite occasional flashes of offensive potential, defensive lapses and roster instability contributed to their uneven results, culminating in just one playoff qualification.| Season | Record (W-L-OTL-SOL) | Points | Division Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | 38–30–6–6 | 88 | 5th (Atlantic) |
| 2007–08 | 25–43–7–5 | 62 | 7th (Atlantic) |
| 2008–09 | 35–36–2–7 | 79 | 6th (Atlantic) |
| 2009–10 | 39–31–4–6 | 88 | 4th (Atlantic) |