Devellano named to Indians board of directors
Devellano was brought to the Tigers front office by owner Michael Illitch on June 7, 2001. He is also currently in his 27th year with the Red Wings organization and 42nd year in the National Hockey League.
Jimmy D., as he is known, began as a volunteer scout for the St. Louis Blues hockey team in 1967 when the league expanded from six teams to 12. In 1972, Devellano joined the start-up New York Islanders franchise as a scout and helped build a team that won four straight Stanley Cup titles from 1980-83.
While with the Islanders, Jimmy D. also fulfilled the role of General Manager for their Central Hockey League affiliate, the Indianapolis Checkers. During his tenure as GM, the Checkers won the Adams Cup in both 1982 and 1983.
Owner of seven Stanley Cup rings (NY Islanders 1980-82, Red Wings 1997-98, 2002, 2008), Devellano has been an important figure for not only the organizations he has worked for, but also the NHL as a whole. He was instrumental in helping to bring the 1987 NHL Entry Draft to the U.S. for the first time. He also aided the League in developing the current overtime format and became a pioneer in the scouting and signing of European players.
As the Tigers Senior Vice President, Jimmy D. provides advice and expertise for business and marketing operations. In Devellano's fifth season as Sr. VP, the Tigers won the 2006 MLB American League Pennant but were later defeated by the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. That same year Devellano also received the honor of being inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
Devellano has also set up two private foundations that support several children's charities in the United States and Canada. This, along with his major athletic contributions, has made him one of the most accomplished and respected executives in sports.
The 65 year old has residences in Detroit, Toronto and Sarasota.