Sunny Mehta welcomed as Devils GM at introductory presser

On April 16, it was announced by the New Jersey Devils that they had hired Sunny Mehta to become their sixth general manager in team history.

April 21 marked the day the new GM made his official introduction to the Devils' fanbase and media alike; the Devils hosted a press conference at the Prudential Center in an official welcome event. Mehta gave his opening remarks in addition to New Jersey Devils Managing Partner David Blitzer. Mehta comes to New Jersey with a great love for the destination after playing varsity hockey for Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes, NJ. 

A former professional poker player, Mehta is is known for bringing a data-centric and process-oriented vision to support the team in scouting, draft preparation, and player evaluation.

The GM is joining the Devils after spending six seasons with the Florida Panthers. In the last of those three years, he served as assistant general manager and head of analytics. His NHL front-office experience also includes consulting for the Washington Capitals during the 2019-20 season and the Phoenix Coyotes in 2010-11.

Sunny Mehta officially introduced, takes place of Tom Fitzgerald as Devils' GM'

Mehta's welcome to New Jersey comes after the Devils parted ways with then-General Manager Tom Fitzgerald on April 6, who served in that role since Jan. of 2020. 

Blitzer said while there was not one moment in particular that made him and Fitzgerald decide to part ways, in his evaluation of the organization it was clear that now was the time for a change to be made.

“There wasn't like a moment where I woke up in the morning and said this needs to change. I think the reality, as I mentioned, is I worked with Tom [Fitzgerald] for 11 years. Tom and his team are excellent, and my relationship with him was very strong … This year was extremely disappointing. And so there was not a eureka moment. I was evaluating the organization and talking with my partner … but ultimately, we came to the conclusion that it felt like this was the time that it made sense to part ways," Blitzer said. "And as soon as that happened, I sat down with Tom to just have a really open discussion. And we sort of both left that discussion agreeing that it made sense timing wise to make that decision to part ways."

The leadership change came for Fitzgerald after seven seasons and as the Devils failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 11th time in 14 seasons.

Made in Jersey. Belongs in Jersey. pic.twitter.com/wXYnHsytQX

Per the initial Devils' release surrounding his hiring, Mehta returns to the organization where he first started his NHL management career. He was originally part of the first wave of analytics-focused executives who joined front offices and established the NHL’s first full-time analytics department when he was named as Director of Hockey Analytics in 2014. 

Mehta spent four seasons in New Jersey, 2014-15 to 2017-18, under then-Devils’ President/General Manager Lou Lamoriello and, later, Ray Shero.

In his current role as GM with the New Jersey franchise, Mehta said his primary objective is simple — to put a winning team on the ice.

"My goal for this front office is quite simple — I want to make smart, objective and educated decisions, and I want to do it over and over and over again. For that reason, I believe I'm the right person to implement that agenda, given my past experiences and successes the team," Mehta said. "I think it's somewhat safe to say the main objective is to put a winning team on the ice, and I take that seriously. To me putting a winning team on the ice, that function of a general manager is about decision making, taking in information of all different sorts, assessing risk and making decisions that are going to have inherent uncertainty with them.”

Mehta also repeatedly referenced how this new job very much represents a dream come true for him due to his New Jersey roots. Devils' players Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Connor Brown, Brenden Dillon, Jake Allen, Johnathan Kovacevic and Stef Noesen, in addition to Head Coach Sheldon Keefe were all in attendance for Mehta's introductory press conference.

MORE: Sunny Mehta named new General Manager of Devils