NJ Devils Youth directors honored with McMullen Award

NEWARK, N.J. - John and Kelly DiNorcia were awarded the Dr. John J. McMullen Service Award at the NJ Devils game against the Tampa Bay Lightning Sunday afternoon. The pair has been leading the New Jersey Devils Youth Hockey Club for over two decades, and have been an integral part of the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association’s youth player development program.

As part of their work with the Atlantic Affiliate, they have organized a comprehensive player development program that starts at the 12U level and continues all the way through 16U and 18U events that feed national development camps run by USA Hockey. Particularly over the past several years, they have managed immense logistical challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic and ensured every player has still had an opportunity to develop their skills through the program.

At the local level, they have worked together in growing the NJ Devils youth program into one of the preeminent hockey organizations in northern New Jersey. Both continue to give back to both the AYHL and NJYHL for the betterment of amateur hockey in the region. John serves on the competition committee of the AYHL and has been instrumental in structuring a competitive season for the league.