|
After
it was announced in May of 1982 that a National Hockey League
franchise was moving to New Jersey, several state newspapers
ran a contest asking readers for nickname suggestions.
Close
to 10,000 ballots were cast and on June 30, 1982, team officials
declared that "Devils" was the overwhelming winner.
It beat out such possible monikers as Blades, Meadowlanders,
Colonials, Americans and Meadowlarks.
Among the definitions of the word "devil" as offered
by Webster's Dictionary include "a person of notable
energy, recklessness and dashing spirit" - which may
also describe the New Jersey Devils hockey team.
So why Devils? Said Devils' owner Dr. John J. McMullen at
the time, "It's a great nickname because it combines
the folklore of South Jersey with the Meadowlands."
|
For those unfamiliar
with the legend, the Jersey Devil dates back some 250 years.
While there are many variations on the story, it most frequently
begins with Mrs. Leeds, a farm woman from the Pine Barrens
or "Pineys" region of South Jersey. Already the
mother of 12 children, when Mrs. Leeds found out that the
13th was on the way, she apparently exclaimed in despair,
"Let it be a devil!"
In addition to being a busy mother, it should be noted that
Mrs. Leeds was rumored to have dabbled in sorcery and many
thought her to be a witch. On the night of her delivery in
1735, fierce thunderstorms hit the area and an air of uneasiness
surrounded her house. When she finally gave birth, the offspring
was a demonic creature that has alternatively been reported
to have had the features of a bat, snake, kangaroo, as well
as a man.
|
In
any case, the creature quickly flew out an open window and immediately
began cutting a wide swath of havoc and destruction throughout
the state.
That legend has been fueled through the years by alleged sightings.
The devil has been the object of numerous hunts and other pursuits,
none of which have apparently been successful.
It is because of sightings like these that the residents of
the Pine Barrens believe that the devil is alive.
Not one of the aforementioned sightings, however, has occurred
at the Meadowlands. Nonetheless, knowing this legend may cause
Devils' fans to think a bit differently the next time they watch
a game and see the puck take an inexplicable bounce into the
opposition's net or see an opponent mysteriously lose his feet
on open ice.
Credit the assist to the New Jersey Devil.
For a detailed look into the legend, read The Jersey
Devil, written by James F. McCloy and Ray Miller, Jr., published
by Middle Atlantic Press.
|
