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Devils add 2-time Stanley Cup champion to Sunny Mehta-led front office
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- Devils add 2-time Stanley Cup champion to Sunny Mehta-led front office
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The New Jersey Devils filled a major hole in their organization earlier this offseason when they announced that former Florida Panthers assistant general manager Sunny Mehta, who was a key part in Florida's back-to-back Stanley Cup wins, had been hired as their new general manager.
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And now, Mehta is bringing in another former member of the Panthers' front office, hiring Braden Birch, who will serve as the team's Assistant General Manager and General Manager of the AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets.
"Braden will be an extremely valuable addition to our senior hockey operations group," said Mehta, via NHL.com. "His blend of on-ice experience, management background, and intellect will serve him well in his new role. Braden will work to bolster all areas of our operation, and I look forward to him joining our existing front office, where his personality and work ethic will fit in excellently."
"I am really excited to take this next step in my professional career," said Birch. "I want to thank Bill Zito, the Viola family, and the entire Florida Panthers organization for 12 amazing years, and the ability to help a front office achieve the ultimate goal of Stanley Cup Championships. I also greatly appreciate them giving me the opportunity to grow my professional career in New Jersey . I look forward to working with Sunny and his group on returning the Devils to the levels of success that we believe they can achieve."
Birch was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 6th round (179th overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft, but never saw action in the NHL. He played four years at Cornell University before playing in Finland for HIFK Helsinki, along with the Colorado Eagles and Florida Everblades of the ECHL.
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He's had much more success as an executive, as evidenced by his work with the Panthers in the last couple of seasons.
The Devils fired GM Tom Fitzgerald on April 6 after a disappointing 2025-26 season that saw them miss the playoffs for the second time in three years.
