The Adirondack Thunder announced Tuesday that they’ve signed defenseman Jimmy Dowd Jr., the son of former New Jersey Devils Stanley Cup champion Jim Dowd. The signing follows Dowd Jr.’s participation in the Devils’ 2025 Development Camp.

Dowd Jr. officially signed his first professional contract on July 30, 2025, with the ECHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils. The Thunder are based in Glens Falls, New York, and will roster the 25-year-old for the 2025–26 season.

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Dowd Jr. recently wrapped up a five-year collegiate career with Penn State, where he appeared in 150 games and totaled 73 points. Last season, he played in 27 games and recorded 10 points. Among Penn State defensemen, Dowd Jr. ranks eighth in career points (50), tied for eighth in single-season points (21), and sixth in single-season assists (18). He was also named an Academic All-Big Ten honoree in 2022.

Before college, Dowd Jr. played two seasons with the Chicago Steel of the USHL, helping them win the Eastern Conference Championship in 2019. He recorded 26 points during his time with the Steel.

At 5-foot-9, Dowd Jr. brings speed and experience to the Thunder blue line. He attended the Devils’ Development Camp earlier this summer, where he reunited with former NCAA rival Ethan Edwards. Edwards, a Michigan Wolverine, had faced Dowd Jr. three times during their college careers.

Reflecting on their rivalry and now sharing the ice at camp, Dowd Jr. told NHL.com:

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“Those big school rivalries—us and Michigan hate each other, all the teams hate each other. It breeds competitiveness every single night. I played against Edwards, and we’re both here now. I can learn stuff from him even though he’s younger than me. He’s an unbelievable player, unbelievable skater. He sees the ice super well. It’s funny, we were beating the heck out of each other in playoffs and now we’re here, teammates at this camp. It’s super cool.”

Dowd Jr. is deeply familiar with the Devils organization. His father, Jim Dowd, played over 800 NHL games and won the 1995 Stanley Cup with New Jersey. A New Jersey native himself, Jim was the second-ever New Jersey high school hockey player to reach the NHL and famously brought the Stanley Cup back to his hometown after the Devils’ championship.

Now, Jimmy Dowd Jr. begins his own professional journey, looking to make his mark and continue the Dowd legacy within the Devils organization.

Photo Credit: © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images