Staff and Schedules: A New Jersey Devils Wrap

Zach Berman opened the episode by breaking down significant changes to the New Jersey Devils’ coaching and development staff. Key hires include Leo Luongo as director of goaltending, Dan Stewart as goaltending coach, and the additions of Ted Donato and AJ McLean as assistant coaches. Luongo, brother of NHL legend Roberto Luongo, will oversee all goalie development, and his background with Florida’s “goalie excellence department” could signal a positive shift. Stewart was recruited from the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL), reflecting the Devils’ recurring strategy of targeting St. Louis Blues affiliates for goaltending staff. Coaching Context The coaching additions represent a shift towards fresh faces with varied backgrounds—Donato brings over two decades of college coaching at Harvard, while McLean previously worked under Sheldon Keefe with the Toronto Marlies. Zach Berman notes that while none of the new assistants have substantial NHL head coaching experience, he welcomes the inj...