Devils make first hire under new GM Sunny Mehta
The New Jersey Devils have hired Braden Birch as Assistant General Manager. Here's what to know.
Devils make first hire under new GM Sunny Mehta originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The New Jersey Devils and recently named General Manager Sunny Mehta have hired Braden Birch as Assistant General Manager, with the hiring marking the first one under Mehta — who was named the New Jersey GM on April 16.
The announcement was made by Mehta and the Devils on the morning of May 11. In his new role, Birch will serve as General Manager of the Utica Comets (American Hockey League), in addition to assisting Mehta and the rest of the Devils' staff in scouting, contract management, roster and cap strategy. Birch previously worked with Mehta as part of the Florida Panthers ’ front office that helped win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025 and has spent over a decade — 12 years to be exact — with Florida.
His most recent role saw him working as Director of Hockey Operations and Salary Cap Management for the past five years before previously serving as Special Assistant to the General Manager. Birch will serve as the Comets’ fourth GM in franchise history and succeeds Dan MacKinnon who held the post for the previous five seasons. Utica most recently concluded the 2025-26 season by missing the playoffs by one point.
Mehta said Birch will serve as a huge asset to the New Jersey organization. "Braden will be an extremely valuable addition to our senior hockey operations group," said Mehta in the Devils' release provided to the media. "His blend of on-ice experience, management background, and intellect will serve him well in his new role.