Full Breakdown
Devils Bolster Player Development with Campbell and McCabe Hires
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Moves Announced
The New Jersey Devils announced that Jessica Campbell will serve as manager of player development and Bryan McCabe will assume the roles of vice-president of prospect personnel and assistant general manager of the AHL’s Utica Comets. Both appointments were made by general manager Sunny Mehta as players reported to training camp. The hires report to assistant GM Braden Birch, who also joined Mehta from the Florida Panthers.
Background and Recent Success
Mehta’s front-office overhaul follows a period of strong performance for the organization’s affiliates. The Devils aim to improve prospect cultivation after the Utica Comets’ recent playoff runs. McCabe arrives from a 14-year tenure with the Florida Panthers, where he contributed to three straight Stanley Cup Final appearances and back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025. Campbell joins after two seasons as an assistant coach with the Seattle Kraken; she stepped down from that role on April 30 to explore other league opportunities.
Key Personnel Profiles
- Jessica Campbell – 34-year-old Cornell graduate who became the first woman to serve as an on-bench full-time assistant coach in the NHL (according to the Associated Press). She previously coached the Kraken’s AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, guiding them to consecutive Calder Cup Final appearances, and has international experience as an assistant for Germany at the 2022 IIHF Men’s World Championship.
- Bryan McCabe – 51-year-old former defenseman who appeared in 1,135 regular-season NHL games and recorded 528 points (team announcement). His post-playing career includes director of player development and director of player personnel roles with the Panthers, culminating in involvement with the club’s recent Stanley Cup titles.
Implications for Development Strategy
The combined expertise of Campbell and McCabe is intended to create a seamless pipeline from draft selection to NHL readiness. Their responsibilities include overseeing prospect evaluation, coordinating with the Comets, and integrating athlete-care and performance resources across the organization. By pairing Campbell’s pioneering coaching background with McCabe’s extensive front-office experience, the Devils signal a commitment to modernizing their development model and sustaining competitive depth.