Step into the Prudential Center on this particular Monday night, and you might’ve thought you’d taken a wrong turn into a winter wonderland-minus the skates. Snow-dusted evergreens, red carpet lighting, and a curling rink where center ice usually lives? Welcome to the Devils’ fifth annual Sweep the Deck Gala, a marquee event that’s quickly become one of the NHL’s most unique and impactful fundraisers.
This year’s gala wasn’t just about glitz-it was about giving back, with the Devils Youth Foundation raising over $2 million in support of programs that tackle food insecurity and promote youth physical activity across New Jersey and New York. And yes, the entire Devils roster showed up-not just to wave and pose for photos, but to actively engage with fans in a night of curling, poker, bartending, and more.
“It’s just a great event,” said captain Nico Hischier, surveying the transformed arena floor. “There’s so much cool stuff to do here. Me personally, and the team, we’re very happy to be here supporting a great cause and having a fun night.”
That sentiment echoed throughout the night. Whether you were grabbing a drink mixed by Timo Meier, chatting with Jacob Markstrom, Connor Brown, or Jesper Bratt, or watching Jack Hughes try his hand at curling, the vibe was equal parts party and purpose.
“It’s the biggest fundraiser that we do as players,” Hughes said. “We’re happy to be here and support what the Blitzers and the Devils Youth Foundation are doing.”
And what they’re doing is no small feat. Since its inception, the Devils Youth Foundation has contributed over $4 million in philanthropic support to organizations like Hockey in New Jersey, Ice Hockey in Harlem, Special Olympics New Jersey, and the Community FoodBank of NJ, just to name a few. The foundation’s focus this year zeroed in on two essential areas: nutrition and youth physical activity.
“A million of our neighbors don’t know where their next meal is coming from,” said Allison Blitzer, Chair of the Devils Youth Foundation. “One in eight kids in New Jersey face food insecurity.
That’s not okay. We’re one of the wealthiest states, but we rank 43rd in terms of physical activity for kids.
That needs to change.”
The numbers are staggering, but so is the response. The Foundation now distributes roughly $1.4 million annually in grants to combat these issues head-on. For Blitzer, a mother of five, the mission is personal.
“My kids are super lucky to have resources and support at the get-go,” she said. “Every kid deserves the opportunity to fulfill their potential.”
And that’s what makes Sweep the Deck more than just a fancy night out. It’s a chance for fans to connect with players in a way that’s authentic and memorable-whether it’s a quick chat over a drink or a laugh during a curling match-and for the organization to channel that energy into something that leaves a lasting impact.
“Tonight is super interactive with our players,” Blitzer said. “They’re bartending, curling, dealing cards.
Or just hanging out. It’s a really special experience for fans.”
Devils President Jake Reynolds has seen the event grow from a modest gathering in 2020 to a sold-out spectacle that now raises millions.
“I remember the first year we hosted this, we walked away saying, ‘We think we’ve got something special here,’” Reynolds said. “Fast forward five years, and to see it sold out, raising over $2 million-that’s what I’m most proud of.”
That growth isn’t just measured in dollars, but in impact. More kids getting meals.
More kids getting active. More communities getting support.
And more fans getting to see their favorite players in a whole new light.
So yeah, it might’ve looked like a ski lodge and felt like a party. But make no mistake-this was a night where hockey and heart teamed up for something bigger than the game.