• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle NHL
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • Fantasy Hockey
  • THW Archives
  • More…
    • Columns
    • NWHL
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • Long Read
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • Atlantic Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Metropolitan Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Dallas Stars
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Nashville Predators
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • Pacific Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle NHL
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • Fantasy Hockey
  • THW Archives
  • More…
    • Columns
    • NWHL
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • Long Read
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
New Jersey Devils
Devils History

Great First Impressions Of Devils Goaltending

By Michael Gwizdala March 24th, 2016

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

First game. First start. First win. You gotta support the team! Rookie goaltender Scott Wedgewood made a stellar first impression and gave the New Jersey Devils all the support they’d need, in a 2-1 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets. In fact, Wedgewood’s 27-save effort was so impressive, Head Coach John Hynes announced he’ll get the starting nod against the red-hot Pittsburgh Penguins.

Wedgewood’s first start got me thinking about a number of other Devils’ goaltending debuts. Below are among some of the more impressive initial starts of New Jersey netminding.

NEW: Scott Wedgewood (@wedgewall) wins NHL debut with #NJDevils https://t.co/T1KE7l1kpb #THW

— Dan Rice (@DRdiabloTHW) March 22, 2016

Kevin Weekes – October 6, 2007:

Not a rookie debut by any stretch but Weekes’ first game as a Devil was a stout performance. Playing at the Florida Panthers, the team which drafted Weekes, Weekes was masterful, posting 32 saves in a 4-1 Devils win. Weekes would win eight more games during his Devils tenure.

Embed from Getty Images

Scott Clemmensen – January 20, 2004:

OK, so technically Clemmensen made a pair of relief appearances with New Jersey in 2001. However, his first start was something to write home about. Playing at Pittsburgh, Clemmensen recorded a 25-save shutout, preserving a 3-0 Devils victory. It was a gratifying win for Clemmensen, after enduring a few rough campaigns with the AHL Albany River Rats. Clemmensen would post 31 more victories in his Devils’ career.

Embed from Getty Images

Mike Dunham – November 7, 1996:

Another technicality, as Dunham made a relief appearance debut about a month earlier, taking over for Jeff Reese. After winning 50 games across the previous two seasons at AHL Albany, Dunham’s first NHL start was quite impressive. Playing at the Chicago Blackhawks, Dunham stood strong, saving 35-of-37 pucks sent his way, making a 4-2 Devils win stand up. Dunham would win a dozen more games during his time with the Devils.

Embed from Getty Images

Martin Brodeur – March 26, 1992:

Sporting number 29, Brodeur won his first of 691 games in his illustrious career. Hosting the Boston Bruins, Brodeur turned aside 24-of-26 shots, preserving a 4-2 Devils victory. March would become Marty’s month, his 136 wins, more than any other month. Plus, Brodeur would go on to beat Boston on 25 more occasions in the regular season.

Sean Burke – March 5, 1988:

While Burke had made a relief debut three days prior against Washington, he made his first start at the legendary Boston Garden. Although not the prettiest on paper, Burke stopped 17-of-23, in a 7-6 Devils victory over the B’s. Those Devils would ride Burke into the playoffs, as he went 10-1 with seven straight victories down the stretch. An All-Star in 1989, Burke would win 61 more games with the Devils.

Embed from Getty Images

Craig Billington – October 26, 1985:

In his actual NHL debut, Billington made 23 saves in a 5-2 Devils win at the Meadowlands, against the Los Angeles Kings. Like Brodeur, Billington made his debut at the age of 19. Billington would win 42 more games with New Jersey was an All-Star in 1993.

Embed from Getty Images

Alain Chevrier – October 10, 1985:

Chevrier, along with the aforementioned Billington and Wedgewood, are the only rookie New Jersey netminders who have won their NHL debuts. Playing at the rival Philadelphia Flyers, Chevrier made 33 stops in a 6-5 Devils win at the unforgiving Spectrum. Chevrier would win 52 more times in a Devils sweater.

Embed from Getty Images

  • Tags
  • Kevin Weekes
  • Martin Brodeur
  • Scott Clemmensen
  • Scott Wedgewood
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Facebook Comments

Editor’s Picks
Martin St. Louis, the Little Big Man

Martin St. Louis, the Little Big Man

9169
'Mr. Hockey' Gordie Howe

'Mr. Hockey' Gordie Howe

9687
Recent Posts
Dec 8th 5:35 PM
St Louis Blues

The Blues Need Jordan Kyrou

Dec 8th 3:35 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Spezza, Andersen, Marner, Matthews

Dec 8th 11:11 AM
Archives

Top 12 Fastest Skaters Ever in the NHL

Dec 8th 11:01 AM
Archives

Bruce McNall: His Rise and Fall

Dec 8th 10:50 AM
Long Read

OHL Sunday Seven: Young Greyhounds Turning the Corner

Dec 8th 9:50 AM
New York Islanders

Islanders’ Adjustments Leading to Overtime Success

Dec 8th 9:35 AM
Calgary Flames

Flames’ Derek Ryan Discusses Geoff Ward, Seattle Hockey and Zombies

Dec 8th 9:20 AM
Boston Bruins

NHL Rumors: Oilers, Coyotes, Bruins, Avs, More

Dec 8th 9:05 AM
Commentary

2020 World Juniors: Who Makes Fisher’s Team Canada?

Dec 8th 8:50 AM
Long Read

5 Takeaways From Maple Leafs Singing Blues to St. Louis

Stay in Touch
Contact Us

Via our Newsletters
RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Our Partners
HFBoards

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

Join over 18 000 Subscribers of our free bi-weekly Newsletter.

© The Hockey Writers 2018. All rights reserved.
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • Atlantic Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
  • Metropolitan Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Dallas Stars
    • Minnesota Wild
    • Nashville Predators
    • St Louis Blues
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • Pacific Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle NHL
    • Vegas Golden Knights
    • Vancouver Canucks
  • Store
  • The THW Archives
  • Prospects
  • The Goalie Page
  • NHL Salary Cap Information
  • Join Our Team
  • Search THW