A entertaining and difficult game for hockey lovers to test their knowledge is the NHL Immaculate Grid. On August 21, one grid asks participants to identify a player who has experience with both the Chicago Blackhawks and the New Jersey Devils.
The Blackhawks, one of the NHL’s original six teams, have a rich history and a long list of notable players who have played for them. In contrast, New Jersey entered the NHL in 1974 as the Kansas City Scouts, moved to Colorado, and then changed their name to the New Jersey Devils in 1982.
The fact that the Devils and Blackhawks play in different conferences permits more deals between the two teams. As a result, numerous players have skated for both teams.
Johnny Oduya, a defenseman, is one player who has experience on both clubs. The defenceman played four seasons with the Devils before starting his NHL career with them in 2000–01. Oduya scored 70 points throughout his 273 games with New Jersey.
After playing for Atlanta, Oduya spent four straight seasons (2012–2015) with Chicago before rejoining the Blackhawks at the end of the 2016–17 campaign. Oduya won the Cup with Chicago in 2013 and 2015; he appeared in 234 regular-season games and collected 45 points.
NHL Immaculate Grid answers for Aug. 21: Other Blackhawks & Devils players
The solution to the Immaculate Grid of today is not limited to Johnny Oduya. Three goalies have also played for both clubs, bringing the total number of players who have represented both franchises to 57.
Here are three further responses to the NHL Immaculate Grid from today:
1, Doug Gilmour
Doug Gilmour is most recognized for his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he also played for the Flames and Blues before being moved to the Devils in 1997 during his 14th NHL season. He scored 75 points in 83 games played for New Jersey.
Gilmour joined the Devils for a year and a half before joining the Chicago Blackhawks as a free agent. He played in 135 games over the course of parts of two seasons with Chicago.
2, Tuomo Ruutu
The Chicago Blackhawks selected Tuomo Ruutu ninth overall in the 2001 NHL Draft, and he played his first four NHL seasons with Chicago. He played in 228 games and scored 108 points while with the Blackhawks.
At the 2014 trade deadline, Ruutu was moved to the New Jersey Devils after spending portions of seven seasons with the Hurricanes. Ruutu scored 22 points in 129 games for New Jersey.
3, Phil Housley
Sixth overall in the 1982 NHL Draft, Phil Housley played with the Buffalo Sabres from 1982 to 1990. He played in 22 games and scored 16 points for the New Jersey Devils after being dealt to them midway through the 1995–96 season after bouncing around a few clubs.
After playing for five seasons in a row with Calgary and Washington, Housley spent two seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. He played in 137 games and scored 68 points while playing for Chicago.