The New Jersey Devils have appointed Braden Birch as an assistant general manager, marking the first front-office hire under Sunny Mehta’s leadership as head of hockey operations. Birch brings over a decade of experience from the Florida Panthers organization, where he served extensively in hockey operations and most recently managed the team’s salary cap.

During his tenure with the Panthers, Birch played a role in the franchise's consecutive Stanley Cup victories in 2024 and 2025, achievements that both he and Mehta contributed to as part of the management team. His expertise in salary cap strategy and hockey operations is expected to bolster the Devils’ front office as they pursue organizational growth and success.

The hiring is viewed as a strategic move by Mehta, who assumed control of the Devils’ hockey operations earlier this year and seeks to build a competitive roster through smart personnel and financial management. Birch’s arrival signals the first step in shaping the broader management structure aimed at strengthening the team’s performance on and off the ice.