Devils’ top farm team leaving Lowell, Mass., and returning to Albany, NY

Devils returning top farm team to Albany, NY

NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey Devils are moving their top minor league team back to Albany, N.Y., for the upcoming season.

The Devils’ AHL team left Albany and spent the past four year in Lowell, Mass. The team said the move back to New York’s capital was approved recently by the American Hockey League’s board of governors.

The team will be known as the Albany Devils. It was called the Albany River Rats before leaving.

The team will play in the Times Union Center, which served as home ice for the organization’s AHL team for 13 seasons through 2005-06.

In 2009-10, the Lowell Devils compiled a franchise-best 39-31-10 mark, advancing to the AHL’s Calder Cup playoffs.