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Assemblyman Doesn't Like Hockey Team's Evil Name

New Jersey State Assemblyman Craig Stanley wants to exorcise the demons from New Jersey's hockey team, the New Jersey Devils. Stanley told KFMB he is horrified every time he hears someone say they're going to see the Devils:

"I've always cringed when people say they're going to see the Devils," said Stanley. "The merchandise, the paraphernalia is based on the actual demonic devil. Personally, it causes a little bit of an issue with me."

The Devil's mascot (pictured on right) is a seven foot tall devil with horns and a goatee. KFMB reports that the team isn't really named after the biblical devil but after a horrifying monster instead.

However, the team's name, chosen in a 1982 fan contest, comes from the mythical Jersey Devil, not the Christian symbol of the antichrist, according to Weird N.J., a travel guide to the state's most offbeat attractions.

The mythical Jersey Devil with bat-like wings, a forked tail and oversized claws was said to terrorize Pine Barrens dwellers in the 18th-century after being born the 13th child to poor South Jerseyans and morphing into a dinosaur-like beast.

Stanley plans to introduce a resolution to rename the team in the Assembly next month. If he gets his way, a new name for the team will be selected in a statewide competition. But Devil's owner Jeff Vanderbeek isn't about to be undeviled: "He's hellbent on keeping the Devils name," Stanley said.

Posted on May 31, 2005

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