Phil Housley, who played 22 games for the Devils late in the 1995-96 season, is at the top of general manager Ray Shero's short list to become the club's next head coach.

Shero has done an extensive search to find the right coach for the Devils, considering Guy Boucher of SC Bern in Switzerland, Washington Capitals assistant coach Todd Reirden and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton AHL coach John Hynes, but Housley has emerged as the leading choice.



Housley, 51, is currently an assistant coach with the Nashville Predators under Peter Laviolette. The Predators were knocked out of the playoffs this year by the Chicago Blackhawks in six games.

He coached Team USA to the gold medal at the 2013 world junior championships in Ufa, Russia.

Born in St. Paul, MInn., Housley is the NHL's second-leading scorer among U.S.-born players. His 1,232 career points include 338 goals and 894 assists.

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During his 1,495-game NHL career, Housley played for the Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Devils, Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs. He has played more games without winning a Stanley Cup than any player in NHL history.

His career included a brief spell with the Devils, who acquired him on Feb. 26, 1996, along with Dan Keczmer in a trade with the Flames for Tommy Albelin, Jocelyn Lemieux and Cale Hulse. In his 22 games for the Devils, Housley scored one goal with 15 assists.

Housley was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004.

Rich Chere may be reached at rchere@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Ledger_NJDevils. Find NJ.com on Facebook.