(David Puddy contemplates washing his face)

From the Associated Press (thanks to Jon Solomon for the tip) :

What chance do the New Jersey Devils give a proposal that would give the NHL team a less demonic name?

Think hell freezing over.

œI can assure you the Devils name will never change, and I think there are more important things to be thinking about than something that will never happen, chief executive officer Lou Lamoriello said. œIt™s who we are and what we want to be.

State Assemblyman Craig Stanley is taking issue with a satanic symbol representing the team, which has won three Stanley Cup championships.

œThis is an age where symbolism is very important, said Stanley, a Baptist deacon whose resolution to rename the team is to be introduced in the Assembly next month. A new name would be chosen in a statewide competition.

Stanley™s legislative district includes parts of Newark, where the Devils are scheduled to move into a $310 million, 18,000-seat downtown arena in September 2007, from the Meadowlands sports complex in East Rutherford.

œI™ve always cringed when people say they™re going to see the Devils, Stanley said. œThe merchandise, the paraphernalia is based on the actual demonic devil. Personally, it causes a little bit of an issue with me.

For more reminders of the days when top-flight professional hockey was played in North America, Newsday’s Pat Calabria commemorates the 25th anniversary of the New York Islanders’ first Stanley Cup victory. Coming in September, an article marking the two year anniversary of the last time the chant “Potvin Sucks” was heard in public.