Devils oppose assemblyman's bid to replace symbol

[Kire]

Devils oppose assemblyman's bid to replace symbol

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.

* * *

The team's 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, according to Weird N.J., a travel guide to the state's most offbeat attractions.

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.

<snip>

More: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2071410

Edit:
This post was lifted directly from a post in the Sports forum by Bleachers7.

[mcscajun]

1. This preacher has a real sense of humor...

"He's hellbent on keeping the Devils name," Stanley said.

And something will freeze over before it gets changed...and who cares, anyway??

[NJ Democrats]

5. True, who cares???

There is no NHL right now, and there may never be again. Also its just a name. Who gives a sh*t?

[lenidog]

2. He should learn his Jersey history.

The New Jersey Devils were not named after Satan but actually the after the infamous Jersey Devil a long running myth from southern Jersey

[Kire]

3. edited

I added a snippet from the article about the real origin of the name.

[keith the dem]

4. New Jersey - what exit?

How sick I am of that joke from non-NJ people. This name change is an attack on what keeps NJ from being just a vast expanse of suburban sprawl. The Jersey Devil is a great myth that gives some mystery to our state. If you've ever been lost in the Pine Barrens you've felt this, Weird NJ has hundreds of articles and many a Springsteen song will give you this feeling("this turnpike is spooky at night when your all alone".) The Jersey Devil is mot about Satan, but about the mystery and weird beauty that sets NJ apart.

[njdemocrat106]

6. Isn't Stanley a Democrat?

I'd expect this behavior more from Republicans, though Stanley is a Baptist deacon (and Baptists are usually fundementalists).