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It might be a kid who will be tightening his skates for the first time this winter, one who gets strange looks from his friends. It might be a kid who looks at Jones, the son of former NBA player Popeye Jones who spurned his dad and picked hockey himself, as a trailblazer.

It might be Ty’re Reeves.

"That’s what I want," the 11-year-old said last week. He was on the ice at the AmeriHealth Pavilion, the practice rink adjacent to the Rock, taking points from Jones and the other top prospects during a clinic.

Reeves is one of the 260 kids participating in the Hockey in Newark program, one of the city’s true recreation success stories. When it was conceived in 2003 as a feeder program for the struggling East Side High varsity team, Keith Veltre and Dennis Ruppe had five kids sign up.

City leaders told them they were wasting their time. They skated on. A Zamboni broke down and froze to the ice at the Ironbound ice rink. They skated on. A player named Harry Smyre needed four coaches to help carry him off the ice the first time he tried the sport. They skated on.

East Side won two games in 2005, snapping a 36-game winless streak, and that was seen as such an accomplishment that Veltre and Ruppe were named co-coaches of the year. The team reached the state playoffs a year later. Progress was slow, but it was there.

"Really, your ZIP code determines if you play hockey in this country," Ruppe said, "and we wanted to change that."

Then came the spark the program needed: The Devils had moved to Newark, bringing their long-standing commitment to youth hockey.

"Everyone is like, 'He plays what? That's not a sport for black people!' " - Newark hockey mom Alicia Gibson

Veltre and Ruppe were able to secure more than $100,000 in donated equipment allowing them to plaster flyers all over schools in the city with a pretty good offer: "Try Hockey for Free."

Kevin Lopez saw that flyer. He had tried soccer, without much success, and became a goaltender. His commitment to the program made for a pretty good line on his college applications — good enough, it turned out, for Princeton.

"For me, it was more than a sport," Lopez said. "It was a chance to become a better individual. Hockey is for everyone."

Lopez, who now plays on the Princeton club team, didn’t start until the seventh grade. The program is now targeting kids at a much younger age, speeding their development. Matty Villacis, a seventh-grade goaltender with NHL dreams, got started when he was 6.

This is why, when asked if Hockey in Newark will have one of its players drafted in the next decade, Lopez answers, "Absolutely."

Veltre quickly fired back, "Watch the guarantees, Messier."

NHL top prospect skates with Jersey kids NHL top prospect Seth Jones skates with kids at The Hockey in Newark program's clinic for Jersey kids with 2013 NHL prospects and New Jersey Devils Alumni at the Prudential Center practice arena on Saturday, June 29, 2013. (Video by Frances Micklow / The Star-Ledger)

But that remains the goal. So you can bet the players from Hockey in Newark will be watching as Jones and Darnell Nurse, the nephew of former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb, step to the stage and pull on their new jerseys today.

It will be a unique, and for the NHL, a much-needed moment. The sport needs to shed the reputation that it is a white-only game if it ever truly wants to capture a larger viewership in the country.

Jones wants to help that.

"I want to be a role model to kids who want to play the game. I know it’s a white-dominated sport, but at the same time, there are a lot more minorities playing the game, so whatever I can do to help that cause, I’ll do."

It starts with the simple act of walking onto the stage and shaking hands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. The kids from the Hockey in Newark program will be watching, hoping that someday, it’ll be them. Don’t bet against it.

Star Ledger LOADED: 06.30.2013

683030 New Jersey Devils

Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek may sell team

By David Giambusso/The Star-Ledger

Email the author | on June 29, 2013 at 8:51 PM, updated June 30, 2013 at 1:24 AM

New Jersey Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek is in talks with an investment group led by attorney Andrew Barroway to obtain a significant influx of capital and possibly cede Vanderbeek’s controlling interest in the team, according to two people with knowledge of the negotiations.

The talks are continuing and it remains unclear whether Vanderbeek will maintain control of the hockey team and its parent company, Devils Arena Entertainment. The people who spoke requested anonymity because the deal is governed by a confidentiality agreement.

The people also said there are no plans to move the team out of Newark, though they stressed the deal, first reported by Forbes.com, is very much in flux.

The news comes at an auspicious time for the Devils as the team prepares to host the National Hockey League’s annual draft today at the Prudential Center.

Vanderbeek declined to comment on the talks during a press conference Saturday announcing the NHL’s donation of 30 trees to the Newark arena. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, who was also at the press conference, was likewise mum.

"We are not going to confirm or deny that," he said when asked about the talks. "If we have something to announce, we’ll announce it."

This is not the first time investors have been brought to the table to help keep the financially strapped franchise afloat, only to have a deal fall through at the last minute.

In January, Vanderbeek, with the help of a loan from the NHL, negotiated a restructuring of the Devils’ debt, estimated at $190 million, and bought out longtime partners Brick City LLC.

The move bought Vanderbeek, a former Wall Street trader, some time, but the team’s financial situation was hampered by a lockout that cut the season short. It also did not help the bottom line that the Devils did not make the playoffs this year after almost winning the Stanley Cup last season.

In February, the Devils hammered out a new deal with Newark to share revenue at the arena, which has been a source of contention between Vanderbeek and the city since its opening in 2007.

Rumors have circulated for weeks that Vanderbeek had missed a payment to creditors and was looking for investors to help fill the gap.

Since purchasing a controlling interest in the team in 2004, Vanderbeek has been the public face of the Devils. He was one of the biggest proponents of moving the team to Newark and building the Prudential Center.

Since then "The Rock" has been a popular venue for sports and entertainment and has driven major development in Newark’s downtown.

Barroway, 47, is a Pennsylvania-based securities attorney. He specialized in bringing class-action shareholder lawsuits against publicly held companies, according to a report in Phillymag.com. In 2006, he led a group of investors to bid on the Philadelphia 76ers.

Star Ledger LOADED: 06.30.2013

683031 New Jersey Devils

Devils have qualified Adam Henrique, Harri Pesonen among restricted free agents

By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger

on June 29, 2013 at 11:32 AM, updated June 29, 2013 at 11:45 AM

The Devils have retained negotiating rights by sending qualifying offers to restricted free agents Adam Henrique, Harri Pesonen, Mike Sislo and Jacob Josefson.

General manager Lou Lamoriello said the team did not qualify right winger Matt D'Agostini and left winger Jean-Sebastien Berube. Both will become unrestricted free agents on July 2.

"We did not qualify D'Agostini and Berube. Everybody else was qualified," Lamoriello noted.

Lamoriello said the Devils are looking into the possibility of trading up from the ninth overall pick in the entry draft, which will be held tomorrow at Prudential Center.

"We would look at anything. There are a lot of conversations going on right now in every direction-- up, down and sideways," Lamoriello said. "What will happen, I couldn't tell you right now. If we could, we'd move up and we'd go the other way if it made sense."

Devils vice president of hockey operations David Conte will wait to see whether the team keeps the ninth overall pick.

“At ninth my part will be a little bit less because some factors will come into play, whether it’s position or something else. Lou will have a lot of say in it,” Conte said. “My job is to present the options. I certainly get to say what I think.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 06.30.2013

683032 New Jersey Devils

Report: NJ Devils may be sold to attorney Andrew Barroway

By Julia Terruso/The Star-Ledger

on June 29, 2013 at 8:35 AM, updated June 29, 2013 at 8:45 PM

The New Jersey Devils may be sold to an attorney who has loaned the team money and expressed a desire to buy it, according to a memo from The National Hockey League, published on Forbes.com.

In the memorandum dated June 27, 2013, the NHL Players Association tells its members that attorney Andrew Barroway has loaned the hockey team $30 million to help with serious cash-flow issues and may buy it.

Here's the excerpt of the memo as it was published on Forbes:

“The New Jersey Devils and the current ownership group headed by Jeff Vanderbeek have recently been experiencing serious cash flow issues. This has resulted in late or missed payments (including required pension and escrow payments) and League intervention and funding. Importantly, we believe that all money owed to Players, including pension and escrow, has now been paid.”

“Recently, the Club was able to arrange a significant infusion of debt capital ($30 million) from an investor that is interested in purchasing the the Club from Vanderbeek. We understand from League officials that the new investor, Andrew Barraway, is currently negotiating with Vanderbeek and thier expectation is that either Barroway or another ownership group will end up owning the team within the next 120 days or so.”

The attorney formerly tried to buy the 76ers from Comcast, according to Forbes. The memo does not say how much debt the team or the arena are in.

Star Ledger LOADED: 06.30.2013

683033 New Jersey Devils

Devils goalie Martin Brodeur will be on EA Sports NHL 14 cover

By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger

on June 29, 2013 at 7:56 AM, updated June 29, 2013 at 5:36 PM

Devils goalie Martin Brodeur will be the cover boy for EA Sports NHL 14.

The 41-year-old goalie was selected by fans in a vote. He defeated Columbus Blue Jackets goalie and Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky.

It will be the first time a goaltender is on the NHL 14 cover since John Vanbiesbrouck of the Florida Panthers appeared on the cover of NHL ‘97. NHL 14 will be available on Sept. 10 in North America.

“The support I’ve received throughout the cover vote campaign has been incredible,” Brodeur said. “My kids pushed me to participate in the campaign, and they are really excited to see their dad on the cover of the game they play all the time. I want to thank all the NHL fans who campaigned and voted for me.”

While campaigning for the cover, Brodeur and Bobrovsky each took over the @NHLPA Twitter account on the same day for question and answer sessions with fans.

“At first, I didn’t really know what I was getting into when it came to this event,” Brodeur told NHLPA.com. “I definitely got a lot of help along the way from my brother and my friends. It was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it. It’s been exciting.”

“I love hockey and I love to play the game. But for me, I’m happy when I see the joy through other people’s eyes. For me, it’s all about that.”

NHL vice-president of consumer products marketing Dave McCarthy said: “We would like to congratulate Marty for this exceptional recognition of his accomplished career and salute our fans appreciation for his incredible achievements both on and off the ice as they campaigned rigorously and voted him as the NHL 14 cover athlete. Throughout the cover vote campaign, our teams and fans exhibited creative and relentless support for their favorite players and their passion and dedication to hockey is the best in all of professional sports.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 06.30.2013

683034 New Jersey Devils

NHL Draft 2013: Lou Lamoriello cares about the pick, not the place

By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger

on June 29, 2013 at 6:30 AM, updated June 29, 2013 at 6:33 AM

Lou Lamoriello was asked why he decided to hold onto the Devils’ first-round pick in this year’s NHL entry draft rather than forfeit it to satisfy a penalty imposed by the league for circumventing the salary cap with Ilya Kovalchuk’s initial 17-year, $102 million contract in the summer of 2010.

Was it because the draft is being held at Prudential Center Sunday in front of Devils fans, and it would have been awkward if the home team had to wait until the second round?

"No," Lamoriello answered with a glare that would’ve been appropriate had he been asked whether he plans to let his young granddaughter make the decision on which player the team picks.

He kept the pick, he stressed, because the Devils have the ninth overall selection and expect to land a quality prospect. They will instead forfeit their first-round pick in 2014.

The fact that the draft is in New Jersey for the first time has little or no bearing on what the Devils will do Sunday.

"I’m trying really hard not to think about that. I don’t think we should be doing anything to get applause," said David Conte, the Devils’ vice president of hockey operations. "Whether we trade up, trade down, pick where we’re at, whether we take a forward or a defenseman, somebody from the U.S. or somebody from Russia, we should take the best player.

"For the player you pick, it’s kind of cool for him that the draft is in front of the home fans. For us and for me, I’m thrilled it’s here in New Jersey, but we also have a team six miles away (the Rangers), a team 25 miles away (the Islanders) and a team an hour and a half away (the Flyers). So it’s not going to be just uniquely New Jersey."

The Devils will not play to the crowd. And those at the draft table will not be looking to make it into a show.

"The focus has to be on the draft. There can’t be any distractions," Lamoriello said. "I don’t think there will be. There is a focus on the job that has to be done.

"This is kind of unique. Having it here I think is going to be great for the fans to experience. We’ve never hosted the draft before, so it will be a great opportunity to get a look at what we do in building a team. For the staff and scouts, it’s going to be business as usual."

It is not lost on Devils’ management that fans might like to see the team choose a clear-cut successor to 41-year-old goalie Martin Brodeur. A popular selection with the ninth pick — at least to some — would be Halifax (QMJHL) goalie Zach Fucale.

"There is a potential top-10 goalie in this draft," Conte said. "Zachary Fucale in Halifax had an unbelievable year on a great team. But to think of a goalie as an immediate solution, history is not on your side. We got Marty, and he was great, but it was three years before we saw him."

The Devils drafted Brodeur 20th overall in 1990 and his first full NHL season was 1993-94.

It would also be popular if the Devils drafted someone with New Jersey ties, such as defenseman Brett Pesce, who played for the junior A New Jersey Hitmen (EJHL) and North Jersey Avalanche (AYHL).

"It’s about picking the best player," Conte cautioned. "I don’t want to read newspapers (with so-called expert picks). I just want to worry about the reports we have from our people, the people we pay to do the job. We’re in good shape. If you called me and told me they moved the draft up to 5 o’clock (in early June), I’d be ready for it."

And the fact it will be conducted in Newark won’t change a thing.

Star Ledger LOADED: 06.30.2013

683035 New Jersey Devils

NHL Draft: Ranking the Top 10 prospects

Sunday, June 30, 2013

– Tom Gulitti

The following are considered the top 10 prospects for today's NHL Draft at Prudential Center, 3 p.m. The Devils select ninth overall. The Rangers don't have a first-round pick.

1. Seth Jones, D, Portland (WHL)

The son of former NBA player Popeye Jones, and is the best of a deep group of big (6 feet 4, 205 pounds), mobile defensemen in this year's draft.

2. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Halifax (QMJHL)

Colorado Avalanche officials have said repeatedly they intend to select this future No. 1 center with the first pick overall.

3. Jonathan Drouin, LW, Halifax (QMJHL)

MacKinnon's Halifax linemate was the QMJHL's most valuable player and is projected to be a difference-making scoring winger.

4. Aleksander Barkov, C, Tappara (Finland)

Top-ranked European skater already has excelled playing against men (21 goals, 27 assists) in his native Finland.

5. Valeri Nichushkin, RW, Chelyabinsk (KHL)

The 6-foot-3, 196-pound power winger has allayed concerns that he'll remain in Russia next season by saying he intends to play in the NHL.

6. Elias Lindholm, C, Brynas (Sweden)

Two-way center who is strong on both sides of the puck.

7. Sean Monahan, C, Ottawa (OHL)

Competitive, playmaking center, can play wing as well.

8. Darnell Nurse, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)

Son of former CFL wide receiver Richard Nurse and nephew (by marriage) of former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb, Nurse (6 feet 4, 185 pounds) plays an aggressive, two-way game.

9. Rasmus Ristolainen, D, TPS Turku (Finland)

Another big (6 feet 3, 201 pounds), mobile defenseman with a big shot.

10. Nikita Zadorov, D, London (OHL)

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Russian came to North America to play major junior in 2012-13 and get ready for the NHL.

Bergen Record LOADED: 06.30.2013

683036 New Jersey Devils

Picking in top 10 rare for Devils, but they are ready to get help

Saturday June 29, 2013, 11:45 PM

BY TOM GULITTI

STAFF WRITER

NEWARK – One of the perks of being the host of the NHL Draft is having the support of the fans.

Devils director of scouting David Conte joked that the crowd reaction might not be so positive this afternoon, however, when the team’s contingent steps on stage at Prudential Center to make the ninth pick overall — barring a trade up or back.

“I’m not sure we’ll get cheered after last year,” Conte quipped, referring to the Devils missing the playoffs in 2012-13.

After not making the postseason for the second time in three years, the Devils hold just their second top-10 pick since 1996 — they took defenseman Adam Larsson with the fourth pick overall in 2011. General manager Lou Lamoriello understandably doesn’t want this to become an organizational habit.

That’s why, though having the opportunity to pick a high-quality player in what is considered to be a draft deep with talent is a good thing, Lamoriello said, “I’m not going to feel good at all about having it.”

There’s no denying this is a significant first-round pick for the organization, which is still a bit thin on top prospects, particularly at forward, and, barring a trade, will not have a first-rounder in next year’s draft in Philadelphia. The Devils have to surrender their first-round pick next year to complete the league penalty for Ilya Kovalchuk’s rejected 17-year, $102 million contract in 2010, which was ruled to be a circumvention of the salary cap.

Although Lamoriello insists, “There’s never more importance on any pick,” Conte admits, “At nine, it’s actually easier [to make the pick]. It’s just more important.” That said, Conte, who has been with the Devils for 29 seasons, doesn’t feel more pressure to get this pick right.

“I don’t consider it that way,” he said. “I’ve done this long enough. My body of work is not going to be judged on this. I consider it very important. Pressure? I don’t know what that means. You just try to get the best player and do the best thing for the organization.”

Conte has put together a list of 10 players he’d like to pick with some room for adjustment should Lamoriello find a deal worth making to move up from No. 9 or move back. Lamoriello said the team is “comfortable” with the player it believes it will get picking ninth.

“But decisions can be changed,” he said. “We can move up if we can. We can move down if we felt comfortable. There’s nothing in cement.”

Both Conte and Lamoriello say that “all things being equal,” they’d prefer to select a skilled forward. They already have a host of young defensemen, including Larsson, Jon Merrill, Eric Gelinas, Alex Urbom, Damon Severson and Reece Scarlett.

Medicine Hat left wing/center Hunter Shinkaruk, who has been compared to former Devil Zach Parise, has spoken with the Devils at least three times leading up to the draft. Other forward options include London’s Bo Horvat and Max Domi, the highly skilled son for former NHL tough guy Tie Domi, as well as Sweden’s Alexander Wennberg.

Conte also spoke glowingly, however, of this year’s tempting class of big, mobile defensemen. That group is headed by Portland’s Seth Jones, who likely will be picked in the top two, but also includes Sault Ste. Marie’s Darnell Nurse, Finland’s Rasmus Ristolainen, London’s Nikita Zadorov and Rimouski’s Samuel Morin.

It all depends on who is available when the Devils pick. Jones and Halifax’s Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin are locks to be the top three picks, but after that it’s a matter of preference.

“We’re going to get a good player for sure,” Conte said.

And they should get another one with the No. 39 pick in the second round in a draft that is deep well into the second round. Conte believes they’ll have an opportunity to get a second guy they have ranked in their top 30.

Bergen Record LOADED: 06.30.2013

683037 New York Islanders

Floor’s the limit for thrifty Isles

By LARRY BROOKS

Last Updated: 4:30 AM, June 30, 2013

Posted: 12:23 AM, June 30, 2013

So The question is this: If the Islanders cannot entice a team into taking Rick DiPietro — cough, cough, Vancouver — will Charles Wang authorize an amnesty buyout of the goaltender, or will the Islanders instead use the netminder’s AHL cap hit in order to reach the floor?

It is believed general manager Garth Snow, not necessarily known as a truth-teller in his interaction with the press, has chatted with Canucks’ GM Mike Gillis about the possibility of a deal for Roberto Luongo, with DiPietro’s contract part of the package that would go the other way.

But as of yesterday, chances of that kind of a swap appeared remote. Which would leave the Islanders with a decision as they attempt to build something concrete off last season’s eighth-place finish and playoff taste.

DiPietro has eight seasons at $36 million remaining on his landmark 15-year deal that in some ways has turned out to be less an albatross than a life vest for the franchise that has employed smoke, mirrors, Nino Niederreiter and the ghost of Alexei Yashin to remain above the NHL cap floor.

Under the collective bargaining agreement adopted in January, clubs no longer can use bonuses to reach the floor. By subtracting DiPietro, who would carry a $3.575 million cap hit with AHL Bridgeport, the Islanders would be at approximately $31.49 million, or around $12.5 million shy of the $44 million floor.

Josh Bailey is a Group II free agent whose contract is unaccounted for. The same applies to defenseman Travis Hamonic and goaltender Kevin Poulin. Indeed, other than DiPietro, the Islanders don’t have a goaltender under contract.

Using an amnesty buyout on DiPietro — who would receive $1.5 million from the Islanders for the next 16 years under that scenario — would put pressure on Snow to sign a quality free agent or two, or use some of the stable of prospects to deal for a veteran.