May 29, 2024 An Expanded Partnership

RWJBarnabas Health and the New Jersey Devils fortify a long-standing relationship to improve community health.

Continuing a nearly 30-year association, RWJBarnabas Health (RWJBH) and the New Jersey Devils have jointly announced the multiyear extension of their innovative partnership. The organizations have outlined a multitiered activation plan allowing the two brands to utilize shared resources and strengthen their impact in a shared vision of building healthier communities.

Devils and RWJBH have developed a comprehensive, overarching youth hockey program to engage with children across New Jersey. Touching more than 40 hockey rinks throughout the state as part of the New Jersey Devils Rink Partners program, this multiplatform initiative is designed to grow the sport of hockey via accessibility, training, on/off-ice skills and the promotion of health and wellness.

The Devils and RWJBH share a commitment to support children from the first day they step onto the ice through their high school years and beyond.

RWJBH has created an educational blueprint that will teach children and their families the importance of leading active, nutritious lifestyles and important injury prevention techniques, all with the goal of encouraging healthy habits at a young age. This is combined with the Devils’ support of coaching, mental health and athlete care seminars, providing participants with access to NHL-level guidance and education.

Expanding Initiatives

“The opportunity to strengthen RWJBarnabas Health’s 30-year partnership with the New Jersey Devils reinforces our shared commitment to improve community health,” says Mark E. Manigan, President and Chief Executive Officer, RWJBH.

Serving as a visual representation of the enhanced collaboration and commitment, RWJBH becomes the team’s first-ever home jersey patch partner, a strategic move designed to strengthen the brand association between the organizations. The home jersey branding will be fully integrated throughout RWJBH and Devils activations on and off the ice and throughout the community.

“We are beyond excited to extend our long-standing partnership with the largest academic health care system in New Jersey,” says Jake Reynolds, President, New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center. The agreement also expands RWJBH’s current Devils initiatives, which include:

• Hosting the annual Running with the Devils 5K Run & Walk, offering live and virtual options to promote healthy, active lifestyles
• Supporting youth hockey programs such as Learn to Play and high school hockey
• Continuing to provide support from Devils players, alumni and mascot for community-based programs, including annual systemwide hospital visits designed to lift the spirits of patients and staff during the holiday season
• Hosting annual blood drives, community screenings and important cause nights, along with immersive patient experiences such as the Rock Star program. This VIP gameday experience honors patients and their RWJBH health care teams, incorporating elements such as meeting players and in-game recognition
• Continuing to be the presenting partner of the Devils’ annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night, an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for cancer research and care while honoring a patient/cancer survivor and their health care team. To date, funds from this initiative have supported the renovation/enhancement of infusion centers at several hospitals, a new waiting room at The Valerie Fund at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and the purchase of several vehicles to provide patient and clinical team transportation.

Further Collaboration

Moreover, the RWJBH Hockey House—located at Prudential Center and the home for youth teams, club teams, high school teams and special events throughout the year—will continue to serve as a primary venue to engage with youth and support community-based health initiatives.

In striving to give Devils players and staff access to the best available supportive athlete care, a dedicated RWJBH physician will serve as the club’s associate provider, working with the club’s athlete care team. The RWJBH network will continue to provide medical testing services including team physicals, imaging, lab work and injury prevention strategies and treatment to best support players’ fitness while keeping them on the ice and performing at the highest level.

Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton will also partner with RWJBH to launch Dougie’s Buddies, a community program in which, twice a month throughout the season, Hamilton will host a guest and their family at a Devils home game. The experience includes tickets to the game, food and beverage, Devils merchandise and a postgame meet-and-greet with Hamilton.

“Connecting with our youth is a passion of mine, and it is an honor to partner with RWJBarnabas Health to launch this community program and create a meaningful experience for children and their families,” Hamilton says.

“For 30 years, RWJBarnabas Health and the Devils have been synonymous with the state of New Jersey—long-term partners who care about their communities and giving back together,” says Devils Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and former Hall of Fame goaltender Martin Brodeur. “There is no better connection to have than with an organization that shares our values, and it’s great for this generation of Devils stars to showcase that on their jerseys.”

Learn more about RWJBarnabas Health programs and services or find a doctor.