New Jersey Devils: 5 Best PTOs In Franchise History

2. Steve Bernier

Steve Bernier was a first-round pick in the famed 2003 draft class but never reached his full potential. He bounced around four different teams before earning a PTO with the Devils during the 2011-12 season. He earned a roster spot out of camp, but like Gomez he had to wait a little bit. Bernier did not sign a contract with the Devils until January of 2012. While with the Devils that first season, Bernier would become part of the infamous ‘CBGB’ fourth line that would propel the Devils in the 2012 playoffs.

With that being said, Bernier’s Devils tenure could be summarized by the one hit he made on Los Angeles Kings’ defenseman Rob Scuderi. The major penalty led to the Kings taking over in Game 6 and capturing their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. The series loss was not Bernier’s fault at all. He was just the last piece of the jenga puzzle that crashed the Devils’ Cinderella playoff run. Bernier’s penalty left him as the most hated Devil for the next few seasons.

Bernier played three more seasons with the Devils and played 224 games for the franchise. It was not until his last season in New Jersey where he broke out offensively. He tied his career high for goals in a season with 16 and points with 32 in 2014-15. He walked in the offseason and went to the New York Islanders in 2015-16 and his career fizzled out after that. Bernier retired around 2019 after his last few years in Bridgeport with the Islanders affiliate in the AHL, staying loyal to Lamoriello.