New Jersey Devils Sign 12 Players
Signings Include 1 Goaltender, 1 Defensemen & 10 Forwards
Monday, 08.22.2011 / 3:35 PM
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New Jersey Devils
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The New Jersey Devils today announced the signings of 12 players to new contracts: goaltender Maxime Clermont; defenseman Peter Harrold; and forwards Matt Anderson, Bryan Haczyk, Brad Mills, Nathan Perkovich, Tim Sestito, Myles Stoesz, Stephane Veilleux, Joseph Whitney, Chad Wiseman and Steve Zalewski. Haczyk, Perkovich, Stoesz and Whitney were signed to AHL contracts. The announcement was made by Devils’ President/CEO/General Manager Lou Lamoriello. As per club policy, no further terms were disclosed.
Clermont, 19, spent each of the past four seasons with Gatineau (QMJHL), compiling a 90-60-11 mark in 185 appearances. In 48 games last season, the 6-1, 195-lb. netminder recorded a careerhigh 28 wins and four shutouts (tie), with a career-best 2.55 goals-against average. Clermont also won 11 playoff games and added one shutout en-route to the QMJHL finals. Born December 31, 1991 in Montreal, Que., he participated in the 2010 CHL Top Prospects Game. Clermont was New Jersey’s fourth choice (6th round) and 174th overall selection in the 2010
NHL Entry Draft. Harrold, 28, spent each of the past five seasons with the Kings’ organization. He appeared in 19 games last season, recording one goal and three assists for four points and four penalty minutes. The 5-11, 190-lb. defenseman has compiled eight goals and 18 assists for 26 points and 50 penalty minutes in 164 career NHL appearances. Harrold split the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons between Los Angeles and Manchester (AHL). Born June 8, 1983 in Kirtland Hills, OH, he spent four seasons at Boston College (HE) and was a member of the Eagles’ regular-season championship teams in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Not drafted, Harrold also spent three seasons with Cleveland (NAHL).
Anderson, 28, enters his second season with the organization after leading Albany (AHL) with 32 assists and 55 points last season, while finishing second with 23 goals. He also represented the
team at the 2011 AHL All-Star Classic. The 5-11, 195-lb. forward originally signed with the club on July 21, 2010 after spending the previous three-plus seasons with Chicago (AHL). Anderson was a member of the Wolves’ 2008 Calder Cup Championship team. Born October 31, 1982, the native of West Islip, NY signed with Chicago as a free agent on March 30, 2007. He also saw action in 37 games with Gwinnett (ECHL) in 2007-08. Anderson played four seasons at the
University of Massachusetts-Amherst (HE) between 2002-03 and 2006-07.
Haczyk, 24, spent four seasons, 2007-08 through 2010-11, with Niagara (CHA/AH), compiling 46 goals and 49 assists for 95 points and 91 penalty minutes in 144 games. He recorded career highs of 28 goals, 17 assists, 45 points and 34 penalty minutes last season. The 5-9, 185-lb. forward was named to Atlantic Hockey’s 2011 First All-Star and All-Academic Teams. He made his pro debut by appearing in three games with Trenton (ECHL) upon the completion of his collegiate career. Born May 16, 1987 in Secaucus, NJ, he attended each of New Jersey’s past two rookie camps.
Mills, 28, enters his fifth year with the organization after seeing action with both Albany (53 games) and New Jersey (4) last season. The 6-0, 195-lb. forward recorded 15 goals and nine assists for 24 points and 102 penalty minutes with the AHL Devils last season. Mills made his
NHL debut October 30, 2010 at Los Angeles and recorded his first goal/point November 3, 2010 at Chicago. Born May 3, 1983 in Terrace, B.C., he made his pro debut by appearing in eight
games with Lowell (AHL) in 2006-07. Not drafted, Mills played four seasons collegiately at Yale (ECAC), from 2003-04 to 2006-07.
Perkovich, 25, enters his third season with the organization after recording eight goals and nine assists for 17 points and 59 penalty minutes in 40 games with Albany last season. The 6-5, 215-lb.
forward has 27 goals and 23 assists for 50 points and 140 penalty minutes in 108 games over two seasons for New Jersey’s top development teams. In 2008-09, Perkovich began his pro career by
appearing in six playoff games with Trenton (ECHL). He spent three seasons with Lake Superior State (CCHA) from 2006-07 through 2008-09, compiling 44 goals and 27 assists for 71 points and
179 penalty minutes in 113 appearances. Born October 15, 1985 in Canton, MI, he played three seasons in the USHL with both Cedar Rapids (2003-04) and Chicago (2004-06). Perkovich was
New Jersey’s sixth choice (8th round) and 250th overall selection in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
Sestito, 26, appeared in 36 games with New Jersey and 23 contests with Albany last season. He collected two assists with the NHL Devils, as well as five goals and eight assists for 13 points for
the AHL Devils. The 5-11, 195-lb. forward is entering his third season with the team after being acquired on July 9, 2009. Sestito spent four seasons with the Oilers’ organization, making his NHL debut with Edmonton on November 26, 2008. He has also seen minor-league action with Bridgeport (AHL), Greenville (ECHL), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL), Stockton (ECHL), Springfield (AHL) and Lowell (AHL). 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 Flyers’ organization.
Stoesz, 24, split each of the last two seasons between the ECHL and AHL Devils. In 2010-11, the 6-2, 210-lb. forward recorded one goal and three assists for four points and 165 penalty minutes in
37 games with Trenton, while also appearing in seven games for Albany. Stoesz was acquired by the Devils’ organization from Atlanta on March 2, 2009. Born February 15, 1987 in Steinbach,
Man., he began his pro career by appearing in 64 games with Gwinnett (ECHL) in 2007-08. He was Atlanta’s eighth choice (7th round), and 207th overall selection in the 2005 Entry Draft.
Stoesz played four seasons in the Western Hockey League with Spokane, Chilliwack and Regina.
Veilleux, 29, split the 2010-11 season between Blues Espoo (Fin.) and Ambri-Piotta (Swi.). His seven-season NHL career included 46 goals and 53 assists for 99 points and 302 penalty minutes in 438 appearances with Minnesota and Tampa Bay. The 6-1, 190-lb. forward spent the 2004-05 season with Houston (AHL), where he began his pro career in 2001-02. Veilleux also saw action with the Aeros during the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons. Born November 16, 1981 in Beauceville, Que., he was Minnesota’s fourth choice (3rd round) and 93rd overall selection in the 2001 Entry Draft. Veilleux played three seasons of junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with Victoriaville and Val-d’Or.
Whitney, 23, spent the past four seasons at Boston College (HE), where he totaled 40 goals and 102 assists for 142 points and 207 penalty minutes in 161 games played. In 2010-11, the 5-6, 165- lb. forward recorded five goals and 26 assists for 31 points and 60 penalty minutes in 39 appearances. Whitney was a member of the Eagles’ 2008 and 2010 NCAA Championship teams, as well as the 2008, 2010 and 2011 Hockey East Championship teams. Born February 6, 1988 in Reading, MA, he made his pro debut by appearing in one game with Portland (AHL) at the conclusion of his collegiate career. Not drafted, he attended last month’s rookie camp at Prudential Center.
Wiseman, 30, re-joined the Devils’ organization last season, recording 16 goals and 28 assists for 44 points and 47 penalty minutes in 48 games with Albany. He spent the 2009-10 season with Springfield, posting 24 goals and 35 assists for 59 points and 83 penalty minutes in 67 games. The 6-1, 205-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 11th 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 in Burlington Ont., he was San Jose’s sixth choice (8th round) and 246th overall selection in the 2000 Entry Draft. He played his junior hockey with both Mississauga and Plymouth (OHL).
Zalewski, 25, recorded 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 31 appearances with Albany last season. He was acquired from the Sharks’ organization on February 9, 2011, along with Jay
Leach. At the time of the trade, the 6-0, 190-lb. forward was sixth on Worcester (AHL) with 4g-17a-21pts in 50 games. Zalewski made his NHL debut by appearing in three contests with San Jose in 2009-10. He has combined for 52 goals and 99 assists for 151 points and 74 penalty minutes in 241 career AHL contests. Born August 20, 1986 in Utica, NY, he played four seasons at Clarkson (ECAC) and was named to the league’s First All-Star Team in 2007-08. Zalewski was San Jose’s fifth choice and 153rd overall selection in the 2004 Entry Draft.
Clermont, 19, spent each of the past four seasons with Gatineau (QMJHL), compiling a 90-60-11 mark in 185 appearances. In 48 games last season, the 6-1, 195-lb. netminder recorded a careerhigh 28 wins and four shutouts (tie), with a career-best 2.55 goals-against average. Clermont also won 11 playoff games and added one shutout en-route to the QMJHL finals. Born December 31, 1991 in Montreal, Que., he participated in the 2010 CHL Top Prospects Game. Clermont was New Jersey’s fourth choice (6th round) and 174th overall selection in the 2010
NHL Entry Draft. Harrold, 28, spent each of the past five seasons with the Kings’ organization. He appeared in 19 games last season, recording one goal and three assists for four points and four penalty minutes. The 5-11, 190-lb. defenseman has compiled eight goals and 18 assists for 26 points and 50 penalty minutes in 164 career NHL appearances. Harrold split the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons between Los Angeles and Manchester (AHL). Born June 8, 1983 in Kirtland Hills, OH, he spent four seasons at Boston College (HE) and was a member of the Eagles’ regular-season championship teams in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Not drafted, Harrold also spent three seasons with Cleveland (NAHL).
Anderson, 28, enters his second season with the organization after leading Albany (AHL) with 32 assists and 55 points last season, while finishing second with 23 goals. He also represented the
team at the 2011 AHL All-Star Classic. The 5-11, 195-lb. forward originally signed with the club on July 21, 2010 after spending the previous three-plus seasons with Chicago (AHL). Anderson was a member of the Wolves’ 2008 Calder Cup Championship team. Born October 31, 1982, the native of West Islip, NY signed with Chicago as a free agent on March 30, 2007. He also saw action in 37 games with Gwinnett (ECHL) in 2007-08. Anderson played four seasons at the
University of Massachusetts-Amherst (HE) between 2002-03 and 2006-07.
Haczyk, 24, spent four seasons, 2007-08 through 2010-11, with Niagara (CHA/AH), compiling 46 goals and 49 assists for 95 points and 91 penalty minutes in 144 games. He recorded career highs of 28 goals, 17 assists, 45 points and 34 penalty minutes last season. The 5-9, 185-lb. forward was named to Atlantic Hockey’s 2011 First All-Star and All-Academic Teams. He made his pro debut by appearing in three games with Trenton (ECHL) upon the completion of his collegiate career. Born May 16, 1987 in Secaucus, NJ, he attended each of New Jersey’s past two rookie camps.
Mills, 28, enters his fifth year with the organization after seeing action with both Albany (53 games) and New Jersey (4) last season. The 6-0, 195-lb. forward recorded 15 goals and nine assists for 24 points and 102 penalty minutes with the AHL Devils last season. Mills made his
NHL debut October 30, 2010 at Los Angeles and recorded his first goal/point November 3, 2010 at Chicago. Born May 3, 1983 in Terrace, B.C., he made his pro debut by appearing in eight
games with Lowell (AHL) in 2006-07. Not drafted, Mills played four seasons collegiately at Yale (ECAC), from 2003-04 to 2006-07.
Perkovich, 25, enters his third season with the organization after recording eight goals and nine assists for 17 points and 59 penalty minutes in 40 games with Albany last season. The 6-5, 215-lb.
forward has 27 goals and 23 assists for 50 points and 140 penalty minutes in 108 games over two seasons for New Jersey’s top development teams. In 2008-09, Perkovich began his pro career by
appearing in six playoff games with Trenton (ECHL). He spent three seasons with Lake Superior State (CCHA) from 2006-07 through 2008-09, compiling 44 goals and 27 assists for 71 points and
179 penalty minutes in 113 appearances. Born October 15, 1985 in Canton, MI, he played three seasons in the USHL with both Cedar Rapids (2003-04) and Chicago (2004-06). Perkovich was
New Jersey’s sixth choice (8th round) and 250th overall selection in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
Sestito, 26, appeared in 36 games with New Jersey and 23 contests with Albany last season. He collected two assists with the NHL Devils, as well as five goals and eight assists for 13 points for
the AHL Devils. The 5-11, 195-lb. forward is entering his third season with the team after being acquired on July 9, 2009. Sestito spent four seasons with the Oilers’ organization, making his NHL debut with Edmonton on November 26, 2008. He has also seen minor-league action with Bridgeport (AHL), Greenville (ECHL), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL), Stockton (ECHL), Springfield (AHL) and Lowell (AHL). 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 Flyers’ organization.
Stoesz, 24, split each of the last two seasons between the ECHL and AHL Devils. In 2010-11, the 6-2, 210-lb. forward recorded one goal and three assists for four points and 165 penalty minutes in
37 games with Trenton, while also appearing in seven games for Albany. Stoesz was acquired by the Devils’ organization from Atlanta on March 2, 2009. Born February 15, 1987 in Steinbach,
Man., he began his pro career by appearing in 64 games with Gwinnett (ECHL) in 2007-08. He was Atlanta’s eighth choice (7th round), and 207th overall selection in the 2005 Entry Draft.
Stoesz played four seasons in the Western Hockey League with Spokane, Chilliwack and Regina.
Veilleux, 29, split the 2010-11 season between Blues Espoo (Fin.) and Ambri-Piotta (Swi.). His seven-season NHL career included 46 goals and 53 assists for 99 points and 302 penalty minutes in 438 appearances with Minnesota and Tampa Bay. The 6-1, 190-lb. forward spent the 2004-05 season with Houston (AHL), where he began his pro career in 2001-02. Veilleux also saw action with the Aeros during the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons. Born November 16, 1981 in Beauceville, Que., he was Minnesota’s fourth choice (3rd round) and 93rd overall selection in the 2001 Entry Draft. Veilleux played three seasons of junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with Victoriaville and Val-d’Or.
Whitney, 23, spent the past four seasons at Boston College (HE), where he totaled 40 goals and 102 assists for 142 points and 207 penalty minutes in 161 games played. In 2010-11, the 5-6, 165- lb. forward recorded five goals and 26 assists for 31 points and 60 penalty minutes in 39 appearances. Whitney was a member of the Eagles’ 2008 and 2010 NCAA Championship teams, as well as the 2008, 2010 and 2011 Hockey East Championship teams. Born February 6, 1988 in Reading, MA, he made his pro debut by appearing in one game with Portland (AHL) at the conclusion of his collegiate career. Not drafted, he attended last month’s rookie camp at Prudential Center.
Wiseman, 30, re-joined the Devils’ organization last season, recording 16 goals and 28 assists for 44 points and 47 penalty minutes in 48 games with Albany. He spent the 2009-10 season with Springfield, posting 24 goals and 35 assists for 59 points and 83 penalty minutes in 67 games. The 6-1, 205-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 11th 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 in Burlington Ont., he was San Jose’s sixth choice (8th round) and 246th overall selection in the 2000 Entry Draft. He played his junior hockey with both Mississauga and Plymouth (OHL).
Zalewski, 25, recorded 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 31 appearances with Albany last season. He was acquired from the Sharks’ organization on February 9, 2011, along with Jay
Leach. At the time of the trade, the 6-0, 190-lb. forward was sixth on Worcester (AHL) with 4g-17a-21pts in 50 games. Zalewski made his NHL debut by appearing in three contests with San Jose in 2009-10. He has combined for 52 goals and 99 assists for 151 points and 74 penalty minutes in 241 career AHL contests. Born August 20, 1986 in Utica, NY, he played four seasons at Clarkson (ECAC) and was named to the league’s First All-Star Team in 2007-08. Zalewski was San Jose’s fifth choice and 153rd overall selection in the 2004 Entry Draft.
