News

The Lowell Devils of the AHL have loaned goaltender Gerald Coleman to the Trenton Devils of the ECHL. The announcement was made by Lowell and Trenton Devils' General Manager Chris Lamoriello.

Coleman appeared in three games for Lowell this season, recording a win and two losses. In 182 minutes, the netminder saved 89 shots and allowed 13 goals.

The Romeoville, Illinois native spent most of last season in Trenton, amassing 2,322 minutes over 40 games, earning a 27-8-2 record. He was the runnerup for the ECHL's Reebok Goaltender of the Year Award and finished in third place for league MVP. He stopped 989 shots while surrendering 92 goals for a save percentage of 0.915.

Coleman became the first product of the NHL's Diversity Program to be drafted when the Tampa Bay Lightning slected him in the seventh round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. After playing three years with the London Knights of the OHL, Coleman signed with Tampa Bay in the summer of 2005. Starting the season with Tampa Bay's AHL team, the Springfield Falcons, on November 11 Coleman became the first NHL Diversity Program graduate to play in an NHL contest. He would make two appearances in goal for the Lightning and 43 more for the Falcons.

The following year, Coleman split time between Springfield and Tampa Bay's ECHL affiliate, Johnstown. On February 24, 2007 he was traded to Anaheim and joined the organization's AHL affiliate, the Portland Pirates, ultimately playing 29 regular season games before leaving the organization in 2008.

A left-handed catcher, Coleman stands 6 feet, 5 inches tall, weighs 215 pounds, and turns 25 years old April 3. He was mentored by Willie O'Ree in a branch of the NHL's Diversity Program known as PUCKS (Positive Upliftment for Chicago's Kids). The current incarnation of NHL Diversity, the Hockey Is For Everyone Initiative, has 25 sanctioned programs, including three in New Jersey and one in Philadelphia.

The Trenton Devils host the Wheeling Nailers October 28 and the Johnstown Chiefs October 30; both games start at 7 p.m. Tickets are available by calling (609) 599-9500 or by visiting TrentonDevils.com. Live audio and video broadcasts of every game may be accessed through TrentonDevils.com, courtesy B2 Networks.

TRENTON DEVILS - The Trenton Devils are a member of the ECHL, North America's Premier "AA" Hockey League. The Trenton Devils are owned and operated by the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League.