New Jersey Devils want no part of name change

TRENTON, N.J. – What chance do the New Jersey Devils give a proposal that would give the NHL team a less demonic name?

Think hell freezing over.

“I can assure you the Devils name will never change, and I think there are more important things to be thinking about than something that will never happen,” chief executive officer Lou Lamoriello said. “It’s who we are and what we want to be.”

State Assemblyman Craig Stanley is taking issue with a satanic symbol representing the team, which has won three Stanley Cup championships.

“This is an age where symbolism is very important,” said Stanley, a Baptist deacon whose resolution to rename the team is to be introduced in the Assembly next month. A new name would be chosen in a statewide competition.

Stanley’s legislative district includes parts of Newark, where the Devils are scheduled to move into a $310 million, 18,000-seat downtown arena in September 2007.

The mascot is a red, cartoonish figure with horns and a goatee.

However, the team’s name, chosen in a 1982 fan contest, comes from the mythical Jersey Devil, not the Christian symbol of the antichrist.

The mythical Jersey Devil – with batlike wings, a forked tail and oversized claws – was said to terrorize Pine Barrens dwellers in the 18th century after being born the 13th child to poor south Jerseyans and morphing into a dinosaurlike beast.

Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey agrees that the name should stay as is. Team owner Jeff Vanderbeek gave the proposal a less-than-enthusiastic reception.

“He’s hellbent on keeping the Devils name,” Stanley said.