Newark, N.J. – The New Jersey Devils have reached an agreement with Hotbox Sports and the New Jersey Lottery on a new interactive fan initiative for the 2011-2012 season.  As the first team in the NHL to offer a team-specific fantasy game, Devils fans will have the opportunity to win prizes every month playing fantasy hockey using the Devils roster by logging onto newjerseydevils.com/fantasy.

"The Devils are the perfect team for Hotbox Sports to partner with, as they are about winning, and giving back to their fans, something Hotbox Sports feels very strongly about. Our companies have the same values, and we could not have found a better partner,” said Tarek Bahou, CEO of Hotbox Sports. “Their interactive fan group, the Devils Army Generals, is second to none and creates a perfect environment to engage fans and drive traffic to the game. The Devils have become the leader in social marketing in the NHL, and by now tapping into Hotbox Sports for fantasy, the Devils continue to give back to their fans and develop new and innovative ways of marketing.”

The New Jersey Lottery has secured the title sponsorship of the Devils Fantasy Challenge. Their brand identity has been uniquely integrated into the game with a variety of messages as well as a unique "Mega” Player, based off of their Mega Millions jackpot game, which offers players a chance to secure additional points within the game.   “As the #1 ranked Lottery in social media engagement, providing our customers with exciting Lottery entertainment experiences is a priority and adding the Devils Fantasy Challenge to the mix creates another layer of interaction.” says Carole Hedinger, Executive Director, New Jersey Lottery.

The game utilizes a patented process of Hotbox Sports which breaks the weekly game schedule into week-long scoring periods that allow fans to choose their favorite players on the Devils roster and earn points with their successful play on the ice. Fantasy players then have the opportunity to win Devils tickets, autographed Devils memorabilia and New Jersey lottery scratch off tickets both on a monthly and a season long basis. Over 1,000 fans signed on to play during the game’s first week.

“Fantasy sports is a great way to reach the enthusiastic hockey fan base that every brand craves, and the Devils are excited to offer them a new and innovative way to engage with their fellow passionate fans and the Devils roster of players,” said Rich Krezwick, President of Devils Arena Entertainment. “Bringing the New Jersey Lottery and Hotbox together with the Devils organization which remains at the fore front of digital and social media is a win-win for everyone.”