The Florida Panthers front office is experiencing another shake-up as the New Jersey Devils have poached Braden Birch to serve as their new assistant general manager.
Birch, who spent the last five years as the Panthers' Director of Hockey Operations and Salary Cap Management, leaves behind a 12-year tenure with the organization that began with an internship. His departure marks yet another key figure exiting the Sunshine State for the Garden State.
During his time in Florida, Birch worked closely with Sunny Mehta—who himself left the Panthers in April to become the Devils' general manager. Now, the two will reunite in New Jersey, where Birch will also take on the role of GM for the AHL's Utica Comets. His responsibilities will span scouting, contract management, roster management, and cap strategy—areas where he already excelled with the Panthers.
"I am really excited to take this next step in my professional career," Birch said in a statement. "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 Stanley Cup Championships. I also greatly appreciate them giving me the opportunity to grow my professional career in New Jersey. I look forward to working with Sunny and his group on returning the Devils to the levels of success that we believe they can achieve."
Panthers GM Bill Zito took the high road, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of success. "Great person. When you have success like we had the past few seasons, individuals are going to get opportunities to advance and it's only a good thing, for everyone. We will miss Birchy around here and wish him all the best."
Hockey runs in the Birch family. Braden's father, Jack, served as the Panthers' director of hockey operations from 2006-09 and currently scouts for the Winnipeg Jets from his base in South Florida.
A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Braden Birch was originally a sixth-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2008. After his playing days wrapped up, he earned his master's degree in Sports Management from Florida Atlantic University before diving headfirst into the Panthers' hockey operations department.
With his extensive experience in contract management, salary cap strategy, and scouting, Birch is poised to make an immediate impact in New Jersey. For Panthers fans, it's another reminder that championship success often comes with a price—losing the talented people who helped build it.