New Jersey Signs Nine Players
Signings Include Four Defenseman & Five Forwards
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| Defensemen Tyler Eckford |
Eckford, 25, will enter his third pro season, all with the Devils’ organization. He compiled eight goals and 23 assists for 31 points and 26 penalty minutes in 61 games with Lowell (AHL) in 2009-10. Eckford also saw action in three contests with New Jersey, making his NHL debut on November 19, 2009. The 6-1, 200-lb. defenseman represented the team at the 2010 AHL All-Star Game. Eckford originally signed with the club on March 18, 2008 after three seasons at the University of Alaska- airbanks (CCHA). He totaled 16 goals and 55 assists for 71 points and 152 penalty minutes in 112 games during his collegiate career. Born September 8, 1985 in Vancouver, B.C., he was named to the 2006 CCHA All-Rookie Team, 2008 CCHA First All-Star Team, and 2008 NCAA West First All-American Team. Eckford was New Jersey’s fifth choice and 217th overall selection in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
Fayne, 23, joins the Devils after a four-season career at Providence College (HE). As a senior, the 6-3, 220-lb. defenseman recorded five goals and 17 assists for a career-high 22 points and 14 penalty minutes in 34 games played, while being named honorable mention to the All-Conference Team. As a Friar, he totaled 16 goals and 33 assists for 49 points and 105 penalty minutes in 139 career appearances. Fayne was named to the league’s All- Rookie Team in 2006-07 after three seasons at Nobles Prep (MA). Born May 15, 1987 in Nashua, NH, he was selected by New Jersey in the fifth round, 155th overall in the 2005 Entry Draft.
Magnan-Grenier, 24, completed his fourth pro campaign in 2009-10, all with the Devils’ organization. The 6-2, 210-lb. defenseman totaled three goals and 16 assists for 19 points and 68 penalty minutes in 71 contests with Lowell last season. Magnan-Grenier has averaged nearly 73 games played over his three full seasons since splitting 2006-07 between Trenton (ECHL) and Lowell. Born May 1, 1986 in Sherbrooke, Que., he played three seasons of junior hockey with Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL). Magnan-Grenier was selected by New Jersey in the fifth round, 148th overall in the 2006 Entry Draft.
Young, 20, spent the past four seasons with Windsor (OHL), where he was captain of the Spitfires’ back-to-back 2009/2010 Memorial Cup and OHL Championship teams. The 6-4, 215-lb. defenseman recorded nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points and 153 penalty minutes in 65 games in 2009-10. Young’s five-season OHL totals showed 19 goals and 36 assists for 55 points and 549 penalty minutes in 277 appearances with Windsor and Guelph. Born November 12, 1989 in Windsor, Ont., his Spitfires’ teammates included Devils’ prospect Adam Henrique. He was selected by New Jersey in the seventh round, 202nd overall, in the 2008 Entry Draft.
Berube, 20, made his pro debut by appearing in one game with Lowell during the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs. The 6-4, 210-lb. left wing played four seasons with Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL), where he recorded career highs with 24 goals and 21 assists for 45 points in 2009- 10, while appearing in 64 games for the third straight season. Berube’s four-year totals showed 54 goals and 51 assists for 105 points and 413 penalty minutes in 232 games for the Huskies. In 2007-08, he played in 17 playoff games en-route to the QMJHL Finals. Born July 20, 1990 in Matane, Que., he was selected by New Jersey in the seventh round, 205th overall, in 2008.
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| Forward Patrick Davis |
Davis, 23, is entering his fifth pro season, all with the Devils’ organization. The 6-2, 195-lb. right wing has appeared in 248 games with Lowell over the previous four campaigns, as well as nine contests with New Jersey over the past two seasons. His career AHL totals showed 40 goals and 62 assists for 102 points and 170 penalty minutes. Davis’ 102 points with Lowell are the most among players still with the organization. Born December 28, 1986 in Sterling, MI, he recorded career highs of 15 goals, 20 assists, and 35 points in 2009- 10. He was New Jersey’s fourth choice and 99th overall selection in the 2005 Entry Draft. Davis played his junior hockey at both Kitchener and Windsor (OHL).
Gionta, 26, returns to the organization after spending each of the past four seasons with Lowell. He served the AHL Devils as captain in 2009-10, recording 15 goals and 19 assists for a career-high 34 points and 26 penalty minutes in 68 games played. The 5-7, 185-lb. center has appeared in 250 games for the AHL Devils, the most in franchise history. In 2005-06, Gionta began his pro career by seeing action in three games with Albany (AHL) upon the completion of his collegiate career. He played four seasons at Boston College from 2002-03 through 2005-06, totaling 33 goals and 57 assists for 90 points in 151 games. Born October 9, 1983 in Rochester, NY, he made two trips to the Frozen Four and was a member of the Eagles’ 2005 Hockey East Championship team. Stephen is the younger brother of former Devils’ forward Brian Gionta.
Sestito, 25, appeared in 66 games with Lowell and nine contests with New Jersey last season. He was acquired on July 9, 2009 after spending four seasons with the Oilers’ organization. The 6-0, 200-lb. forward recorded 18 goals and 17 assists for 35 points and 38 penalty minutes in 66 AHL games last season. Sestito also added one assist and two penalty minutes in nine NHL appearances. Entering his sixth pro season, he has also seen action with Bridgeport (AHL), Greenville (ECHL), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL), Stockton (ECHL), Springfield (AHL), and Edmonton. Born August 28, 1984 in Rome, NY, he signed with Edmonton as a free agent on August 28, 2006. Tim’s brother, Tom, plays for the Blue Jackets’ organization.
Wiseman, 29, re-joins the organization after spending the 2009-10 season with Springfield (AHL). He recorded 24 goals and 35 assists for 59 points and 83 penalty minutes in 67 games with the Falcons last year. The 6-1, 210-lb. forward spent the 2008-09 season with Lowell, recording nine goals and ten assists for 19 points and 23 penalty minutes in 23 games. Wiseman previously signed with the organization as a free agent on July 17, 2008. Now in his tenth pro season, he has also seen action with Cleveland (AHL), San Jose (NHL), NY Rangers (NHL), Hartford (AHL), Hershey (AHL), and Wolfsburg (Ger.). Born March 25, 1981, he was San Jose’s sixth choice and 246th overall selection in the 2000 Entry Draft. He played his junior hockey with both Mississauga and Plymouth (OHL).
