Verona resident John MacLean has been replaced as head coach of the New Jersey Devils. Former coach Jacques Lemaire will return to lead the team, which now has a 9-22-2 record, on an interim basis. In a statement from the Devils organization, General Manager Lou Lamoriello had this to say about MacLean:
“John is a professional … We also know it’s no secret that John was with me as a player and John spent a lot of team with me in different capacities over the last few years. John knew it wasn’t easy on both sides, but he understood. John is a class act in every way, and John is a franchise, an organization person. We’ll certainly get together over the holidays and he’ll be right back at work in the organization doing something.
“I do not feel by any means that his coaching career is over should that be what he wants to pursue. In my opinion he is an excellent coach. It’s just, this is the profession we’re in and we have to win. That’s the game. These are tough decisions.”
The Star Ledger has a story on MacLean’s departure here.
