New Jersey Devils Name Scott Clemmensen Goaltending Development Coach

Goaltender Scott Clemmensen #30 as a member of the Florida Panthers (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)

The New Jersey Devils have named Scott Clemmensen the goaltending development coach as announced by General Manager, Ray Shero.

Shero said, “Having played at every level, Scott is an excellent fit for our young goaltenders. We are fortunate to have someone with his experience join our staff. Additionally he is familiar with our organization both on and off the ice.”

Clemmensen, 37, joins the staff after 14 seasons in the National Hockey League, including eight within the Devils organization. Over those 14 years, Clemmensen has appeared in 191 NHL games with the Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers, posting a 73-59-24 record with seven shutouts and a 2.79 goals against average.

Clemmensen’s best season came in 2008-2009 when he finished first among Devils netminders with 40 games played, 25 victories and a 2.39 GAA, while filling in for the injured Martin Brodeur.  He began his pro debut on October 6, 2001 after four years at Boston College, helping lead the Eagles to the 2001 Hockey East and NCAA Championships.

He resigned with the Devils on July 1, 2014 after playing five season with the Panthers’ organization which included spending time with their top farm club the San Antonio Rampage. Clemmensen has been in discussions to become the goaltending development coach for the past week, after current Albany Devils goaltending coach, Johan Hedberg, turned down the offer to pursue another opportunity.

Clemmensen’s duties as goaltending development coach will entail working with the netminders in Albany, as well as traveling to work with the prospects in other leagues and juniors. The position will also include some scouting for the organization.

Clemmensen has been thinking about getting into coaching as his career is getting later into its later stages. He said, “For the past couple of seasons, I knew that my career was winding down, and I feel very good and comfortable with the decision not to play anymore. Obviously it’s an organization I am very familiar with and have a lot of respect for and I’m very grateful for them to give me this opportunity.”

Clemmensen will be based out of his home in Saratoga, NY not that far away from Albany, working with his goaltending partner from last season Scott Wedgewood, as well as traveling to Barrie, ON, to work with 2015 second round selection, MacKenzie Blackwood, while he plays for his Barrie Colts. Since the draft, Clemmensen has spoken about Blackwood, with goaltending consultant Jacques Caron. He also read up on him prior to the draft.

He said, “I’ve always thought about what I’m going to do after hockey is over, but to an extent it has become much more realistic the further you get into your career. For myself being in my late 30’s and my two daughters getting older, that makes that decision much more important and I believe that for myself and my family and where I was at in my career , I thought this was the right time to do that.”

Clemmensen mentioned that he has spoken to Shero in regards to some suggestions of a backup goalie in Albany with some NHL experience in the likelihood they need to make an injury call up.