Sunny Mehta took over his former club-Florida Panthers when he made his first appointment at New Jersey Devils.
Mehta announced the hiring of Braden Burch as Assistant General Manager, adding significant experience and championship pedigree to his hockey operations department.
Birch, the Panthers’ former director of hockey operations and salary cap management, served at Florida since the 2016–17 season, where he was a key member of the front office that led them to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2024 and 2025.
Birch also served as a special assistant to Bill Zito.
The move would give Birch a central role at both the NHL club and its AHL affiliate. In his new position, Birch will serve as general manager of the Utica Comets, while supporting Mehta and the broader front office in key strategic areas including player scouting, contract negotiations, roster construction and salary cap planning.
This multifaceted role provides the Devils with a battle-tested executive who has clearly demonstrated an understanding of every layer of building a winner.
“Braden will be an extremely valuable addition to our senior hockey operations group,” Mehta said. “His blend of on-ice experience, management background and intelligence will serve him well in his new role. Braden will work to elevate all areas of our operation, and I look forward to joining his existing front office, where his personality and work ethic will be an excellent fit.”
Birch expressed excitement about the opportunity: “I’m really excited to take this next step in my professional career. I want to thank Bill Zito, the Viola family, and the entire Florida Panthers organization for 12 amazing years, and the ability to help a front office achieve the ultimate goal of a Stanley Cup championship. I greatly appreciate them giving me the opportunity to further my professional career in New Jersey. I look forward to getting the Devils back to that level of success.” Look forward to working with Sunny and his group to achieve what we are confident they can achieve.”
Birch is a sixth-round draft pick by the Chicago Blackhawks (179th overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft.
A left-shot defenseman, he played collegiately at Cornell University in the ECAC from 2009–10 to 2012–13. In 128 career games with the Big Red, he recorded 21 points (5 goals, 16 assists) and 92 penalty minutes while serving as tri-captain in his senior season.
Professionally, Burch served in the ECHL with affiliates in both Florida and Colorado, and spent time in Finland’s Liiga with HIFK, where he wore an assistant captain’s letter. Before turning professional, he developed through strong junior programs with Oakville (OJHL/OPJHL), Nanaimo (BCHL) and Stoney Creek (GHL).
Off the ice, Birch earned a master’s degree in sports management from Florida Atlantic University, preparing him for a long-term career in hockey leadership.
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