NEWARK, N.J., June 17 (UPI) -- John MacLean, who played for the Devils for 14 seasons, will become New Jersey's next head coach, the NHL team said Thursday.
MacLean, 45, had been an assistant with the Devils for seven seasons and was with the team as a player when New Jersey won the Stanley Cup in 1995 and as a coach in the 2003 title run.
He takes over for Jacques Lemaire, who said in April he was retiring after one year as the Devils' coach. New Jersey won the Atlantic Division under Lemaire but was eliminated by Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs.
MacLean was twice selected an NHL all-star over a career that totaled 18 seasons. He played for the New York Rangers, Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks, in addition to New Jersey.
He scored 413 goals and had 429 assists over 1,194 games. He retired following the 2001-02 season. MacLean still holds the New Jersey team record for career power play goals (92).
