Devellano's fingerprints on many a title team Brian Compton | NHL.com Staff Writer Jun 1, 2008, 12:00 PM EDT
When hockey fans think of men who have achieved greatness in this sport, they think of Gordie Howe. They think of Wayne Gretzky. They think of Mario Lemieux.
Obviously, the credit always goes to the players first. But when it comes to those who have achieved greatness in the front office, one would experience a tremendous amount of difficulty finding anyone with a resume like Jim Devellano's.
The Detroit Red Wings' Senior Vice President and Alternate Governor has been involved in the game for more than 40 years. He broke into the NHL as a part-time scout with the St. Louis Blues in 1967. In 1972, he joined the New York Islanders.
It was on Long Island where Devellano really made a name for himself. While then-General Manager Bill Torrey is considered the architect of the franchise that won four straight Stanley Cups, it was Devellano who was responsible for the amateur drafts that brought the likes of Denis Potvin, Clark Gillies, Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy, Bob Nystrom and John Tonelli -- the core of a group that won a record 19 straight playoff series.
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