The Ring of Honor is a tremendous way to recognize people that were important in your organization. For the New Jersey Devils, they’ll be adding a third member to the Ring of Honor. Shockingly, it is not Lou Lamoriello, but his time will eventually come.

On January 22, 2025 the Devils will be putting former head coach Jacques Lemaire into the Ring of Honor. He will be the third member, joining Dr. John J. McMullen (2017) and Sergei Brylin (2020). This is a tremendous decision and a great honor.

Why Lemaire Deserves It

The coolest part of Lemaire being selected to be inducted comes from the committee. This committee consists of the five Devils Jerseys that hang up in the rafters of Prudential Center, which is Martin Brodeur, Scott Stevens, Ken Daneyko, Scott Niedermayer, and Patrik Elias. Brylin also has a hand as well as the McMullen family, which a touching tribute. Lemaire certainly deserves every bit of this recognition.

“Jacques Lemaire played an integral role in establishing the championship culture synonymous with the New Jersey Devils that we still strive for today,” said David Blitzer, Managing Partner, New Jersey Devils. “Jacques was the consummate winner who had the ability to teach his players what it took to get to that next level, and we are proud to name him as the club’s third-ever inductee into our Ring of Honor.”

Lemaire helped drive the ship that allowed the Devils to not only be crowned champions, but also establish an identity of being contenders in the Eastern Conference. Lemaire first season behind the bench was during the 1993-94 season, where he took the Devils to the conference finals. As everyone remembers, Stefan Matteau scored the famous Game 7 goal against the Devils and the Rangers ultimately won the Stanley Cup. Lemaire did win the Jack Adams in his first season behind the Devils bench, so there was a positive note in there somewhere. Lemaire got his revenge a season later.

Lemaire helped guide the Devils to their first ever trip to the Stanley Cup Finals and they were the heavy underdogs in this series. Lemaire and the Devils not only won their first Stanley Cup, but swept the Detroit Red Wings. The Devils were not supposed to win that series. The Red Wings had a team led by Steve Yzerman and other Hall of Famers, but they prevailed. They had it all that series, between great goaltending, smothering defense, and a sensation in Claude Lemieux. Not to mention a series changing hit by captain Scott Stevens. Lemaire had nothing but success right from the start and will forever live in Devils history.

In his first stint behind the bench, Lemaire finished with an impressive record of 199-122-57 and finished with a .600+ win percentage in the postseason. Overall, he is the winnigest coach in franchise history and deserved every ounce of praise for his contributions.

He was the perfect fit for the Devils and got them to work hard and play a brand of hockey that carried them throughout the years.

The Devils Since Then

Since Lemaire helped the Devils capture their first ever Stanley Cup, the Devils won two more championships and also reached the finals two other times, but lost. They did suffer dark days, but brighter days are on the horizon.

This Devils team is strong and they are led by Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes. This is a Devils core that believes they can win the Stanley Cup and still embodies the same sentiment that Lemaire instilled within his teams that he coached.

This is a great day to be a Devil and a great day for Lemaire.