Prior to being named the 22nd head coach in New Jersey Devils history, Keefe spent 669 games behind the bench of the Toronto Maple Leafs and their American Hockey League team, the Toronto Marlies.
The New Jersey Devils will welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs to Prudential Center for their home opener on Thursday night.
After an optional morning skate, Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe was met by a group of familiar faces that make up Toronto's media.
Before being named the 22nd head coach in team history, Keefe spent 669 games behind the bench of the Maple Leafs and their American Hockey League team, the Toronto Marlies.
The Maple Leafs organization is a huge part of Keefe's history, and on Thursday, he will face his former team for the first time.
"I have nothing but love for the people on the other side, tremendous respect for everybody in the organization that treated me so well, and the players that gave me so much," Keefe said after his team's morning skate. "To that end, it will be strange being on the other side, but for us, it is our home opener. It is my first time in front of the Devils fans. I am more focused on that."
In a game filled with storylines that will write themselves, Keefe is focused on earning another win and is excited to play in front of the fans in New Jersey for the first time this season.
The players know the emotions that may surround tonight's game and can use it to their advantage.
"He has been on the other side for a while. He is with us now," Nico Hischier said to reporters. "In the room, there's extra motivation."
The Devils announced that festivities will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Championship Plaza with Red Carpet Arrivals presented by BMW. The 2024-25 New Jersey Devils players will arrive in BMW models and walk the red carpet prior to their first home game. Fan Fest will take place on Championship Plaza following the conclusion of Red Carpet Arrivals.
Puck drop between the Devils and Maple Leafs is scheduled for 7:00 P.M.
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