PODCAST: Former Devil, Jamie Langenbrunner, joins the podcast

For this episode of the Speak of the Devils podcast, Jamie Langenbrunner joined podcast hosts Matt Loughlin and Amanda Stein. Langenbrunner was traded to the Devils during the 2001-02 season and played for the team until he was traded in January of 2011. Langenbrunner retired from professional hockey in January 2014 and after a year off, joined the Boston Bruins in a player development role.
Langenbrunner discussed the trade that sent him to the Devils in the 2001-02 season from the Dallas Stars. While playing for the Dallas Stars, Langenbrunner was a key part for the franchise in winning their first Stanley Cup in 1999, and he played and lost to the Devils in the Final the next season.
"I was shocked. I don't think Joe [Nieuwendyk] was shocked," said Langenbrunner on his first reaction to being traded with his teammate Nieuwendyk to the Devils. "Doug Armstrong comes in and he had met with me and told me I was one of those guys that wasn't getting traded and a week later I was gone. It was something that really bothered me at the time but you know I really, really respect Doug Armstrong…and I went back and played for him in St. Louis at the end of my career."

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Langenbrunner also discusses the way he and Nieuwendyk had to adjust and assimilate with the Devils, a very close knit team that was bonded by a Stanley Cup Championship.
"I think especially for a guy like Joe and myself, we get integrated into a team, we're not just on the fringe, we're a part of the whole thing so it takes a little while to feel comfortable, walk into that situation," explained Langenbrunner. "It was a group that had their way and it was different then the way it was in Dallas and we had to learn to acclimate and also bring what we found helped us win in Dallas and have that success."
When discussing what made the Devils successful during his time with the franchise, Langenbrunner discusses the hardworking and contender mentality that was ingrained in the Devils culture.
"It's a preparedness that you take to the rink every day. You're having your phone and you're doing your stuff but when you show up to work you're working and you're getting better and you're holding each other accountable," said Langenbrunner. "In practice you competed hard, you showed up at every game expecting to win. You gave yourself a chance every day and I think that's how you kind of build that winning culture where it's expected."
During this quarantine, Langenbrunner did something he's never done before, rewatch Game Seven of the 2003 Stanley Cup Final. Langenbrunner led the league in goals and points during the Stanley Cup run where he won his second Stanley Cup. When Langenbrunner was watching, there were a couple things he didn't remember that came back to memory.
"I didn't remember how close that game was for awhile. I remember the three nothing but you know, Marty made some huge saves there early that kept it that way. I didn't remember that our lines scored all three goals," remembered Langenbrunner. "It brought back chills that I hadn't had and it was really enjoyable to watch."
Since retiring from playing, Langenbrunner has made his second career working in professional hockey. He does admit he wasn't sure he wanted to be involved with the sport following his retirement.
"When I was done, I didn't think I'd want anything to do with it. I took a year off and then I was on vacation with Zach Parise and Jay Pandolfo and their wives and Jay was working for Boston and he kind of asked me, 'you want to get back in' and 'I think we have a spot in Boston'" explained Langenbrunner. "It's been a really good fit. So I feel very fortunate."
Langenbrunner serves as the Director of Player Development for the Boston Bruins and has been with the franchise for the past five years.
"I work with our prospects, both at the minor league level in Providence. Some of the guys that have spent a little bit of time in Boston, the young guys, and our drafted guys. And then I also got a little big of a player personnel angle on my job where I'm involved in the trades and the scouting on the professional level and the amateur level. So what it means is watching a lot of hockey games."