John MacLean is taking over as the New Jersey Devils' head coach, the team announced Thursday.MacLean replaces Jacques Lemaire, who retired in April. A news conference to introduce MacLean is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.
MacLean coached the Devils' AHL team last season and led it to a franchise-best 39-31-4-6 record and its first playoff appearance.
MacLean, who is New Jersey's all-time leading goal scorer with 347, was previously a Devils assistant coach for seven seasons.
In 18 NHL seasons with New Jersey, the San Jose Sharks, the New York Rangers and the Dallas Stars, MacLean scored 413 goals and had 842 points. He retired after the 2001-'02 season.
Five players currently on the Devils were once teammates of MacLean's: Martin Brodeur, Patrik Elias, Jay Pandolfo, Brian Rolston and Jamie Langenbrunner.
The Devils won the Atlantic Division this past season with a 48-27-7 record, making them the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. However, they were clearly outplayed in the playoffs by the seventh-seeded Philadelphia Flyers, who beat them nine of 11 games this season.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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