New Jersey Devils Hit Home Run With Sunny Mehta Hire

Apr 5, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; View of a New Jersey Devils logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

The New Jersey Devils have entered the “Mehtaverse” after hiring Sunny Mehta as the team’s new general manager. The former Florida Panthers assistant GM now gets his first crack as the head man in charge.

It’s also a homecoming for Mehta, who grew up in Wycoff, NJ, and was the team’s head of analytics from 2014-18. Now, eight years later, he gets the opportunity to be the GM of the team he grew up watching.

In a statement from the Devils, Mehta expressed his excitement about returning to New Jersey.

“This is a dream come true for a New Jersey kid who grew up watching Devils’ practices just 20 minutes away in Totowa,” Mehta said.

The Devils’ new head of the front office also shared his enthusiasm for the team he is taking over. “New Jersey has a tremendous young core that will be looking to get back to being a contender, a complement of young assets and draft picks, and a passionate fan base hungry for success.”

Mehta Brings Unique Experience to Devils’ Front Office

In addition to his experience working in several National Hockey League front offices, the 48-year-old has built quite a resume. He studied Jazz Guitar and Studio at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. Mehta graduated in 2000 and later received his master’s degree in data science from City University of New York.

After college Mehta spent time as a professional musician in New Orleans. While accomplishing that, he also became a well-known poker player in Las Vegas. He used what he learned to go on and publish two books on poker strategy. Those books are titled: Professional No-Limit Hold ‘Em, Volume 1 (2009) and .