“Tom Fitzgerald has extensive experience as both a player and now in hockey operations, having served in several significant roles over the past eight seasons,” said Shero. “He is well-respected throughout the league, and I feel that he is an ideal fit for our team. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Pittsburgh Penguins for their cooperation in allowing Tom to join our organization.”

Fitzgerald, 46, retired as an NHL player following the 2005-06 season. He began his post-playing career in 2007-08 when he joined Shero’s staff in Pittsburgh as the Director of Player Development. He was named Assistant Coach on February 15, 2009, where he was instrumental in helping the Penguins win the 2009 Stanley Cup Championship. In the summer of 2009, he was promoted to the position of Assistant to the General Manager, where he served for five years. He was promoted to the position of Assistant General Manager of the Penguins on June 6, 2014 where he served until joining the Devils today.

A forward, Fitzgerald’s professional playing career spanned 17 seasons in both the AHL and NHL. He posted 139 goals and 190 assists for 329 points and 776 penalty minutes in 1,097 career NHL appearances with the NY Islanders, Florida, Colorado, Nashville, Chicago, Toronto and Boston. Fitzgerald added 7g-12a-19pts and 90 PIM in 78 career playoff games, including a trip with the Panthers to the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals. Born August 28, 1968 in Billerica, MA, he served as Predators’ team captain during each of their first four seasons in the league. Fitzgerald also saw action at the AHL level with both Springfield (1988-89 & 1989-90) and Capital District (1990-91 & 1991-92). He was selected by the Islanders in the first round, 17th overall, of the 1986 NHL Entry Draft. Fitzgerald represented Team USA at two World Championships (1989 & 1991), as well as the 1987 World Junior Championships. He played two seasons, 1986-87 and 1987-88, at Providence College (HE).

Tom and his wife, Kerry, have four sons: Ryan, who is enrolled at Boston College (HE) and a draft choice of the Boston Bruins; Casey, who will join his brother as a freshman at B.C. in the fall; Jack and Brendan.