Devils hire Scott Stevens as assistant coach

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Scott Stevens, a longtime New Jersey captain and defenseman, was named an assistant coach by the Devils on Tuesday.

Stevens, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007, was the first player to have his jersey retired by the Devils. His No. 4 hangs from the rafters at the Prudential Center, next to Scott Niedermayer (No. 27) and Ken Daneyko (No. 3), also defensemen who joined Stevens in leading New Jersey to three Stanley Cup titles (1995, 2000, and 2003).

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New Jersey also named Matt Shaw an assistant. They will replace Adam Oates, who took the head coaching position with the Washington Capitals, and Larry Robinson, who left for an associate coaching job with the San Jose Sharks.

Also, Dave Barr will remain an assistant on coach Peter DeBoer's staff, as will goaltending coach Chris Terreri, another former Devil, who won the Cup with New Jersey as Martin Brodeur's backup in 1995.

"Peter is very sharp, and very intelligent, in having a plan of where he wants to go with things," Shaw said. "I'm glad I fit his mold."

New Jersey, a No. 6 seed in the playoffs last year, defeated the Panthers, Flyers and Rangers en route to its fifth Eastern Conference title. The Devils lost to Los Angeles in the Stanley Cup finals.

"Both Peter and I look forward to the additions of Scott and Matt," Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said. "They bring experience to our coaching staff with Scott's 22 years as a Hall of Fame defenseman and five seasons as a special assignment coach, and Matt's 19 seasons of coaching success at every level."

Shaw spent the past three seasons as an assistant with San Jose. He was also on the staff in Minnesota, when former Devils coach Jacques Lemaire was leading the Wild. Shaw will work with the Devils' power play unit.

"It's a great opportunity with a storied franchise," Shaw said. "When an opportunity comes up, at this time of year, to be able to be involved with a franchise like this, it is an exciting opportunity."

Stevens played with Washington and St. Louis, but truly molded his career in New Jersey. He posted a career-high 78 points in 1993-94, becoming the only defenseman ever to lead New Jersey in scoring, and in 2000, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most outstanding player in the postseason. He was an NHL All-Star 13 times.

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