Colorado Rockies (NHL) - Move To New Jersey

Move To New Jersey

In 1978, New Jersey trucking magnate Arthur Imperatore, Sr. bought the Rockies with the intention of moving them to northern New Jersey. However, the NHL vetoed the move because the Brendan Byrne Arena, where Imperatore intended to have the team play, was still under construction, and there was no arena in New Jersey that was suitable even for temporary use. Finally, in 1982, Imperatore sold the Rockies to another New Jersey multi-millionaire, shipping tycoon John McMullen. He announced that he had "big plans" for the franchise, but they involved making the long-awaited move to New Jersey. The team was relocated for the 1982-83 season and renamed the New Jersey Devils. To this day, the Devils make almost no mention of their past as the Rockies (or as the Scouts, for that matter); the Devils' media guide and the history sections of the Devils' website do not acknowledge any captains, coaches and general managers prior to the move to New Jersey.