NJ Devils Pledge $230K To Upgrade Hockey Rink In Hoboken

HOBOKEN, NJ — The New Jersey Devils have pledged $230,000 to update Hoboken hockey rink, to be used by recreation programs in Hoboken.

The revitalization will come at no cost to taxpayers, the city and hockey team announced in a joint release on Monday.

The rink will keep the name “Johnny Ray McDonald, Jr. ‘Diddle’ Hockey Rink," after a beloved local coach and dad who passed away in December 2021.

The Devils are part of the National Hockey League's Industry Growth Fund, which has dedicated more than $180 million to develop programming, create initiatives, host events and provide education "that drives awareness and bring hockey to communities across North America," the team said.

Proposed improvements include, according to the Devils and the office of Mayor Ravi Bhalla:

• Removal and disposal of the old boarding system 
• Patching and leveling of the rink surface 
• Installation of a dasher board curb footing and a new dasher board 
• New rink flooring  

Funded by the NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund, the donation also includes up to $10,000 to engage part-time coaches and staff to assist the Division of Recreation develop programming at the rink for ball hockey clinics, girls' hockey initiatives, adult leagues, and game play for children and adults, the city said.

Jillian Frechette, the chief marketing officer for the Devils and Prudential Center said, “The Devils remain committed to serving our community and growing the game of hockey, and together with the City of Hoboken, we hope that these refurbishments to the rink and new programming will provide a fun space for fans of all ages to play the game they love.”

Bhalla lauded the project as an "example our efforts to coordinate with community stakeholders to bolster our recreation offerings and improve our public spaces. I want to offer my sincere thanks to the entire Recreation Division for working with the Devils organization to make this possible. I look forward to these renovations and eventually cutting the ribbon on the new rink!”

The New Jersey Devils are part of the 32-team National Hockey League, with teams throughout the United States and Canada. Established in 1982, they recently celebrated their 40th season in the Garden State. Follow the Devils at NewJerseyDevils.com.