I went to the Devils game in Arizona back in January and met Devils fans from Utah and Wyoming who followed the Rockies when they moved to NJ. Pretty cool! Always thankful to Dr. McMullen for bringing the franchise here.

If the Devils lost game 5 against the Flyers in the 1995 Conference finals they might have gotten moved again. That 1995 Cup made a huge difference.

If the Rangers moved to the Meadowlands, I have a feeling they will still be called New York like the Giants and Jets.

Some of us (me) are old enough to remember before they were the Rockies.... when they were the Kansas City Scouts.

The theme song of the 81-82 Colorado Rockies: Get Out Of Denver by Bob Seager

Have you thought about doing a video of when Ralston Purina tried to sell the St. Louis Blues to a group in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1983?

OMG you mentioned GARY HART - he is here / they made a film about him - Bill Burr Plays a newsman - the film is called The Front Runner - please review it

“The New Jersey Rangers” I literally puked. Lmao

There will be 2 jack Hughes in the devils history

The Hockey Guy remembers Gary Hart! I’m impressed. His affair with Donna Rice ruined his political career back in the 80s

Lifelong baseball fan, 6 years ago I became a hockey fan and I never even knew there was a Rockies hockey team. I thought you were talking about the baseball team at first. I love that logo though

I love these types of videos, even when they don't involve my team. Keep them coming! I love everything about the history of the NHL

I remember growing up in Denver when word came out that a move to New Jersey was looking likely, the fans started selling out McNichols in those last few games but the die was already cast. Then I lived in Pittsburgh before similar rumors about the Pens were coming up and fans started hitting the Igloo (despite the high ticket prices) in a similar fear of losing their team. Mario put the group together to buy the team and save it. Better ending there. It is my understanding that New Jersey ditched the admittedly poor history of the team's previous incarnations and treated the Devils like a fresh expansion team by deleting the teams history. Maybe I heard that wrong, or its changed since then. Either way, it was on my mind when the Avs played the Devils for the cup. Maybe the moral of this story is if I live in a town with an NHL team, bad things might happen?....hehe

Glenn "Chico" Resch was a very good goaltender and I remember seeing he and the rest of the Devils playing an early 80s game at the old Pittsburgh Civic Area back in the day. I remember watching the Devils' warm-up by the boards and Chico Resch just picked those pucks out of the air and you could barely see them being shot at him from the blue line. It was very cool to see the game from that perspective!

You said the New Jersey Rangers... EWWWW!!!

Yeti thanks you for paying attention to Mountain Time Zone Hockey Teams GO AVS

Zarley Zalapski is still the greatest name ever.

As a huge (and relatively young) Devils fan this video was very interesting and helps provide a lot of insight to the history of my team I didn't know much about. That bit about the Rangers wanting to move to the Meadow lands was pretty funny. Never in a million years could I picture the "New Jersey Rangers". As always a great video and I greatly appreciate the variety and high quality of your content. Keep it up!

Jack Hughes mentioned in this video, spent most of the 79-80 hockey season with the US Olympic team, the Miracle on Ice team. Unlike Miracle, where there was one player who was cut, there were 6 players who played with the team and were cut before the Olympics.

i moved to Denver when i was 10 in 1982 from Oklahoma City and was so excited to be able to see NHL hockey..........my 10 year old heart was ripped out. :(

Do you know if the Baseball team had to acquire the rights to the Rockies name from the Devils?

LOL, that October 15th game you pointed out vs the Kings where they lost 10-1 is in my "recommended videos" to the right of this video... Thanks for spoiling the score, I was going to watch that game. lol

Excellent video, Shannon. One my all-time favorites. The Scouts, Rockies and first five seasons of the Devils are legendary in terms of failure. Their first 14 seasons (1974-87) produced a record of 253-638-149. It produced one playoff appearance in 1978, a 2 games to 0 loss to the Flyers. Rocky Hockey coined the phrase, "Come to the fights, and watch a Rockies game break out!" Denver deserved a better team and got one in 1995 at the unfortunate expense of Quebec. How the Devils did not move or fold was pretty impressive and then became one the best teams of the past quarter century. I think it would be cool to see KC or OKC get a team in the heartland.

I love NHL history from that era. Seals, Barons, Scouts, Rockies, WHA, it was a wild time with a lot of stories and politics behind the scenes.

Later the blues turned Rob Ramage and Rick Wamsley into Brett Hull

Hey there, Hockey Guy! I just wanna tell you I really appreciate and love the effort you put into making this video about when the Colorado Rockies became the New Jersey Devils. I'm a lifelong Devils fan, so hearing about Devils history by itself puts a smile on my face. But I enjoyed hearing the backstory behind the bumps in the road that the Rockies traveled to become the Devils...funny as it was. Great job.

Really fascinating. I’ve always been murky about this history and you helped clarify a lot. Thanks Shannon!

My FIRST NHL Game was the Hartford Whalers vs. Colorado Rockies! I have a colorado puck!

Love these ones... I got into hockey fairly late in life (late 20’s) so really enjoy the hockey history videos.

Very interesting stuff. I love these videos especially when it’s close to home!

Great video and great reminder of our hockey history! Have a great day!

Many a great game in McNichols arena watching the Rockies. Barry Beck and Crazy George. Not always great hockey, but still fun. Sad when they moved and left Colorado NHLless until the Avs. Thanks Hockey Guy for the memories

Have a Doug Favell Rockies jersey, one of my favorites. They actually had some good players, snuck into the playoffs once but yeah, mostly bad hockey but great uniforms!

Very informative. Love your videos!

That's why it was funny in 2001 Cup Finals,I would tell people "it's Colorado vs the old Colorado Rockies!" They'd often say,"what does the baseball team, have to do with the NJ Devils?"-lol Mcnichols wasn't great for hockey,but it's funny-the Avs ended up playing there for 4 years,& hosted 3 WCFs,& a Cup Finals there.

Mikko Makela had a 36 goal season for the isles. Later traded for Ken Baumgartner.

I remember how bad they were when they first moved to NJ. Gretzky called them a Mickey Mouse organization. The franchise(including the Scouts and Rockies) didn't have a winning season until their 14th year when they nearly went to the Finals.

Since they are in the Finals, please do a video on the St. Louis Blues almost becoming the Saskatoon Blues in 1983. Thanks

Didn’t know it at the time but I moved to Colorado from Long Island. Miss my relatives and the Islanders.

Mork & Mindy was set in Boulder, Colorado (30 miles from Denver), hence the reference.

loved Colorado Rockies should have assumed there old name back in 95/96...

Let’s go Devils!

Another awesome video on NHL history. Really laughed at some of the trades- like doing real estate deals with your dog. Must have been a doddle being a GM in the 1980s with muggins like the Rockies to trade with.

You should make a video about teams that almost existed like the New Jersey Rangers, the Saskatoon Blues, the Hamilton Predators or the Vegas Penguins!

The Rockies (NJ Devils) met the Avs in the 2001 finals.

Great video. I love historical stuff about different franchises. Been devils fan from beginning. First game was Christmas gift from brother devs vs kings I think in Jan 83. Devils actually won 5 to 3. Thank you 🇨🇦 For hockey👍‼️

My aunt had season tickets to the Rockies and I used to go all the time as a toddler. Joel Quenneville and Lanny McDonald were my favorite players!

These are my favorite videos to watch. Happy to see a video on the Rockies. Learn about the dysfunctional history of the past New Jersey Devils fans.

Great summary of the year the Rockies left. And you’re right- Chico never complained though he faced a barrage of shots on both the Rockies and early Devils teams. I was an Islander fan then started following the Devils. Don’t forget Tambellini was also a fan favorite on the Isles who weren’t too happy when he and Resch got traded to the Rockies in 80-81.

Good video. For those who like hockey history of bad teams, there is a movie called Only the Dead Know the Brooklyn Americans which goes into some of the history of the NY Americans and has some interviews around the team.

Hockey guy can you make a video for the blues? The STL blues subreddit had you at the top of their page today praising you even though you are a boston fan and just decided not to wear anymore blues gear.

Barry Beck?

Good video! Well done!

Gilbert made it known immediately that he wanted to move the team. My father immediately dumped our season tickets (as did several others) as we will not support a team that is leaving. Lanny McDonald trade for MacMillian's nephew was the final nail in the coffin.

thanks for this video , being born in 87 i hardly knew anything about where the devils came from. With a history like that its amazing they didnt just close the doors and fade away.

Here's another video title for you: "That Year St. Louis Didn't Send Anyone to The Draft"...

I have lived in Colorado for 20 years now, but a long time Leafs fan since '73. I remember that trade that sent shock waves to Leafs fans. That was Lanny McDonald and Joel Quenville for Wilf Paiement and Pat Hickey.

Keep making these hockey history videos

The NHL was so enamoured with the Meadowlands Arena -- not to mention a big payday from transfer and indemnity fees -- that it never stopped to consider if it would be well-served with 3 teams in the Greater New York area. That either the Islanders or Devils have had issues with attendance ever since would suggest it has not, and never has been -- although both teams have local TV deals they couldn't dream of in another market.

I was born in May of 82 and didn’t know this history, thanks for sharing. ? After the Rockies moved to NJ did they keep the Rockies naming rights? Was it a naming rights issue when the Colorado Rockies Baseball team came to be?

I remember as a kid growing up in the early 80’s if you wanted to insult a hockey fan, you called them a NJ Devils fan. Their greatest move ever was getting Lammirello from Providence. The man literally built that franchise from the net out.

“Youngsters who left their greatest glories behind in junior hockey...”. Lol! That’s harsh!

12:06 i know this is an old video but i'm bored. anyway funny thing is that Jack Hughes was actually cut from the 1980 US team. Idk i just find that interesting.

That Jack Hughes also got cut from the 1980 team I believe

Not sure if youve done the Nordiques, from WHA to the big move to Denver.

two Jack Hughes? and one of them has the Pyramid Eye Logo? Illuminati Confirmed brah.

Didn’t the devils need to pay the rangers, flyers and islanders to relocate? Also, side note, I grew up in jersey and never heard the meadowlands pronounced that way....

Always wanted to know how Lou Lemonjello's team came to be.

What is a good site for cool hats?

pls talk about karlsson going to habs or sens

In January 8th 1982 the Colorado Rockies played the St. Louis Blues and Bobby MacMillan scored a 4 goal game for the Rockies and beat the St. Louis Blues 7-1 at McNichols Sports Arena in Denver.

Those sweaters are so dope.

The Rangers moving not as far fetched as you would think. In the mid 70s, the Giants moved out of NY to the Meadowlands (which then inspires Brendan Byrne Arena) NY football Jets followed for 1980. So the precedent had been set. Rangers wound up killing Devils TV rights for several years, costing the franchise a ton of money, and exposure when they first came to market. In some ways, they have never recovered. Like your videos - and franchise move stuff. Further to the times, the Nets, who were the first and primary tennant, would move to the Byrne Arena. The Knicks were going to move to Long Island and move into the Nassau County Coliseum, where at one time the Nets had played. NYC was just coming out of bankruptcy a few years earlier. (Look up the phrase Ford to NYC - Drop Dead).

NJ new hockey team was to be called River Rats but Jersey natives talked about an old legend that a Devil lived in Jersey pinelands. New Jersey 😈 Devils

I remember when I was 5 it was some time in July when I ask my mom when we could get Rocky Hockey Tickets. She said that we could get Rocky Hockey tickets when the leaves turn brown and fall on the ground. Well the hockey gods heard my question, then next day we had a huge hail storm come through Denver. It knocked all the leaves on the ground. Guess who was pestering my mom about Rocky Hockey tickets for the next week.

Jack Hughes was also the last man cut from the USA miracle on ice team.

Rockie Hockey!

Today's Google search, brought to you by The Hockey Guy: "wayne gretzky new jersey devils mickey mouse"

I got that Rockies jersey as well as the hat!!!

John MacLean, the dude from *DIE HARD,* was originally a NHL player... in New Jersey? WTH? This sheds significant light on why he was such a badass.

I just noticed a curiosity there's a player, Don Lever. Who played for Atlanta Flames and played for the same organisation as it became Calgary Flames. He got traded from Calgary Flames to Colorado Rockies and played three more seasons in New Jersey Devils. Do anyone know if there's any other players who has done anything similar?

Since they are in the Finals and you have added a lot of subs from there. Do a Blues salary cap/where they are at video please

Can you make a video on Erik Karlsson hoping to get an offer from the habs? Also good video keep up the good work.

Rangers were never, ever, ever thinking of playing over in NJ. That was strictly a move to guarantee that the Devils would have to pay huge fees to the Rangers and Flyers for them having to share the market with them.

You should do a video on old hockey arenas that didn't work, like Mcnichols...and the Saddledome where the flames play

The Houston Astros were considering moving to New Jersey Meadowlands in the 80's also.

And so it began. The kids who grew up in New Jersey watching the Rangers lose for a generation was given a team to get behind. And hockey in the Garden State grew exponentially ... and the Devils won 3 Stanley Cups. LGD

Given all the managerial incompetence that cost them top draft picks, I can understand why they were pissed when they finally realized they needed to hang onto one, did so in a year with an obvious generational talent waiting at number one, with their team still being the kind of abject mess that should get that pick...but then had to try to undercut a team that was trading the kitchen sink and any utensils in it for empty bags of Cheetos, as well as deliberately adjusting in-game to make it more likely they'd lose, because that player was THEIR only shot to see tomorrow. Good thing Lou Lamoriello took the GM job later on, though.

Not a Devils fan but thanks very much for doing this video

I was born in 82‘ too! lol

COLORADO ROCKIES HOCKEY HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES 01. 1992: Lanny McDonald

I always loved that logo.

Will you do a time the Atlanta Flames moved to Calgary? And had the Rockies stayed in Colorado, they would have been a dominant force in the league instead of the Avalanche.

and brendan byrne which sat 19,000 would always put 19,040 as its capacity later to antagonize the Rags

Hey Shannon, my older account was either hit by a ban or just doesn't work anymore. Anyways it was subbed since around 20-30k.

Saw the last game

If the Rockies had never moved how much more success would the Jets would have had not having to play in the same division as Calgary and Edmonton?

Why did the 2 NY teams and Philly and Hartford approve the relocation to New Jersey?

Love the jersey..!

That management didn't know what the heck they were doing. A pretty funny time...trading the #1 pick would never happen today.