{"id":452597,"date":"2026-02-09T21:54:20","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T21:54:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/452597\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T21:54:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T21:54:20","slug":"devils-sweep-the-deck-gala-powers-year-round-impact-for-new-jersey-youth-the-hockey-writers-new-jersey-devils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/452597\/","title":{"rendered":"Devils\u2019 “Sweep the Deck Gala” Powers Year-Round Impact for New Jersey Youth – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Monday, Feb. 2, the Prudential Center<\/a> looked nothing like a hockey arena. Instead, the space where the New Jersey Devils<\/a>\u2018 ice typically lies was transformed into a professional curling rink, while the surrounding floor turned into a casino lounge with poker, roulette, blackjack and craps tables.<\/p>\n

This was all for the fifth annual Devils \u201cSweep the Deck Gala\u201d<\/a>, the team\u2019s signature fundraising event for the powerful Devils Youth Foundation<\/a>. The foundation\u2019s mission is to bring life-changing opportunities to New Jersey\u2019s youth through the power of sports, entertainment and music. <\/p>\n

Related: Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics Men\u2019s Hockey Tournament<\/a> <\/p>\n

It focuses on four grant categories: creating safe spaces, access to arts education, getting kids active and moving, and food and nutrition security. These are real issues in the state of New Jersey; one in eight kids doesn\u2019t know when their next meal is coming, and New Jersey ranks 43rd nationally in youth physical activity. <\/p>\n

Furthermore, the timing of this year\u2019s gala added some extra meaning. It took place just a couple nights before seven members of the Devils\u2019 roster headed to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina<\/a>, Italy to fulfill a lifelong dream of competing for their countries on the world\u2019s biggest stage.<\/p>\n

Pretty cool signs the #NJDevils<\/a> are auctioning off at Sweep the Deck.<\/p>\n

Each Olympian signed their own. pic.twitter.com\/1Ncru6puMO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Daniel Amoia (@daniel_amoia) February 3, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u201cSweep the Deck\u201d Is as Much Fun as Impactful<\/p>\n

Allison Blitzer, Chair of the Devils Youth Foundation, captured that link: \u201cAs we sit here on the Eve of the Olympics, you want to feel like every kid should have the hope that they can do their best and fulfill whatever their dreams are. We all know there\u2019s a lot of talent here in Jersey, so I want all the kids to have that opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moreover, the night was a rare opportunity for fans to connect on a personal level with their favorite Devils players. \u201cIt\u2019s great [to connect with fans],\u201d said captain Nico Hischier<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s great for them as well, to connect with us a little bit. Just ask some questions they\u2019re probably not able to when watching our game,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n

Star forward Jack Hughes agreed: \u201cA ton of fans come and show up, people that usually watch you when you\u2019re inside the glass. It\u2019s a night tonight for us to kind of talk, and then we kind of know who you are, just a little bit of relationships. I think it\u2019s fun for all parties,\u201d said Hughes.<\/p>\n

Most importantly of all: the event truly made a difference. The gala ultimately raised a record-breaking $2.25 million \u2014 and counting \u2014 for the Devils Youth Foundation. <\/p>\n

\"\"Defenseman Brenden Dillon shooting pucks with a fan at the Devils Sweep the Deck Gala. (Photo Credit: New Jersey Devils)<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople are happy to be here,\u201d added Hischier. \u201cThey\u2019re all here for a great reason, and that makes you feel good, you know, trying to help kids. I think everybody in here is very fortunate enough in their life. Just giving back to community is really helpful for everybody, for them as well \u2026 It\u2019s definitely my favorite event [of the year].\u201d<\/p>\n

This event isn\u2019t a one-off; instead, it\u2019s just the cr\u00e8me de la cr\u00e8me of many fun and impactful annual events that support the Devils Youth Foundation. Prior to the event, the foundation had already raised more than $4.6 million overall, supported over 100 nonprofits, and reached more than 260,000 youth and families across New Jersey. Among mentored youth, the high school graduation rate stands at 97 percent.<\/p>\n

Kate Whitman Annis, Executive Director of the Devils Youth Foundation, talked about the buy-in from the entire organization: \u201cOur entire team leans in. That\u2019s from the players, to everyone who works in the building, to our ownership. You can see it tonight, it\u2019s so much fun. It\u2019s our original take on a gala, right? So it\u2019s not the [traditional] sit down; you\u2019re curling with the players, you\u2019re playing cards with them, you\u2019re interacting with them. It\u2019s just a really fun, feel-good night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whether it was Paul Cotter and Jonas Siegenthaler giving bartending a shot, Lenni Hameenaho and Evgenii Dadonov playing blackjack, Dawson Mercer and Connor Brown proving their Canadian dominance in Curling, or anything in between\u2026the event was a prime example of how the Devils Youth Foundation can make a difference while having a blast.<\/p>\n

\"\"Dawson Mercer shows off his Curling skills at the Devils Sweep the Deck Gala. (Photo Credit: New Jersey Devils)<\/p>\n

\u201c[My curling skills] are definitely not up there,\u201d joked Hischier, who Jack coined as one of the best poker players.<\/p>\n

Jake Reynolds, President of the New Jersey Devils, said, \u201c[DYF] is part of who we are, and it\u2019s our responsibility as stewards of this brand and the only professional sports team in New Jersey. We love the opportunity and the obligation that we have to continue to lift this community up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Devils Youth Foundation Making a Lasting Difference<\/p>\n

The foundation\u2019s successful strides towards making a difference have changed lives. In food and nutrition security, partners like the Greater Newark Conservancy reached about 8,000 children through youth and family education programs, while community fridges and fresh food distributions served tens of thousands more. <\/p>\n

Under creating safe spaces, initiatives through Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boys & Girls Club of Newark and others established over 1,000 mentoring relationships and provided tutoring, career prep and art therapy. <\/p>\n

Getting kids active and moving includes expanded programming from Hockey in New Jersey<\/a>, Special Olympics New Jersey and the Challenged Athletes Foundation. In arts and education, groups like Arts Ed Newark and New City Kids expanded creative programming for hundreds of students.<\/p>\n

It was my first time attending #NJDevils<\/a> Sweep the Deck tonight and honestly WOW. Such an awesome event with so many amazing fans for such a great cause. <\/p>\n

I don\u2019t think I took a single photo because I was so in awe of the entire thing!!! <\/p>\n

This is such a special team, fan base,\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Rachel Herzog (@RachelMHerzog) February 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

That\u2019s not all, though; players stay involved all year through a range of initiatives. The Hughes brothers\u2019 Pucks and Pages<\/a> reading program, a multi-year reading program designed to promote literacy among New Jersey\u2019s youth, is the most popular example. <\/p>\n

Blitzer pointed out how seriously Jack and Luke Hughes have taken it: \u201cJack and Luke have really grabbed on to this program with their reading program, and they\u2019re avid readers. I don\u2019t know how much you know about them, but they actually fight over books, and their love of reading is amazing, and they really want to share that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other previous and ongoing efforts include: Dougie Hamilton\u2019s \u201cBuddies\u201d program, the Make-A-Wish initiative<\/a>, the Devils Youth Foundation Scholarship Program, the Champions Gala, and Martin Brodeur\u2019s \u201cMB30\u201d Charity Golf Invitational. <\/p>\n

\"\"Devils Sweep the Deck Gala. (Photo Credit: New Jersey Devils)<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of our players all year long make DYF a priority all the time\u2026 all of our players always raise their hand about how they can help out. We\u2019re pretty lucky about that,\u201d added Blitzer.<\/p>\n

Whitman Annis said the same about the team\u2019s commitment, especially from star players like Hischier, Jack and Luke: \u201cYou see, like, a quarter of what they\u2019re actually doing. They are actually out and skating with kids all the time, and they do it because they care about their community, they want a healthy community, and they want to do their part. And it\u2019s really inspiring for us to see that. Like, I never feel like I\u2019m bothering any of the players when I ask them.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the Sweep the Deck Gala is the big, visible celebration that raises significant money and brings people together, the real story is what the money and player involvement can help support when the lights shut off and everyone heads home. It\u2019s truly inspiring.<\/p>\n

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