Devils Hire Pertti Hasanen As Development Skills Coach

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — The New Jersey Devils have a new development/skills coach in Pertti Hasanen, who brings more than 35 years of experience coaching hockey teams and developing players.

Devils general manager Ray Shero announced the hiring of the 61-year-old on Thursday. Hasanen most recently was director of hockey operations and player development at Boston University.

Hasanen began his coaching career in 1979 in Finland and served as head coach for a number of European professional teams, including time in Norway, Italy and Finland.

He also had stints as head European scout with the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames. His NHL career included training camps for several teams, and he served at the Devils' development camp last month.

New Jersey went 32-36-14 (78 points) last season, finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference.

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