Devils vs. Rangers
New Jersey Devils right wing Jordin Tootoo (20) and New York Rangers left wing James Sheppard (45) collide during the first period of an April 2015 game in Newark, New Jersey. Reuters/Ed Mulholland/USA Today Sports

At 40 years old, John Hynes became the NHL’s youngest head coach after being named to the position by the New Jersey Devils. Devils general manager Ray Shero announced the hiring of Hynes in a news conference on Tuesday.

“John Hynes is an individual with extensive coaching experience on the collegiate, professional and national levels,” Shero told reporters. “He has been successful at each one and we are fully confident in what he will bring to the Devils’ organization."

Hynes, who will be the 17th head coach in the franchise’s history, was the head coach of the USA’s Hockey National Team Development Program and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the American Hockey League in the past decade.

"I'm very excited to be the head coach," Hynes stated. "I'm very honored to be the head coach of the organization."

At the same news conference, Hynes and Shero both agreed that the Devils need to play “fast hockey” and that they’ll adapt an attacking style under the new head coach. With a new coach and a new style, the Devils are hoping to get back in the postseason after missing the last three playoffs.

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