A former poker pro will now be calling the shots on personnel matters for the New Jersey Devils. The team named Sunny Mehta as the new general manager</a> last week.
Mehta, 47, not only has a history as an NHL executive, but he also spent several years as a poker pro and authored two strategy books.
The Phoenix Coyotes hired him in 2010, which started his career in the NHL. Mechta worked in management and data analytics positions for the Coyotes. Most recently, he was the Florida Panthers assistant general manager and head of analytics. He spent six years with Florida, including two Stanley Cup titles in 2024 and 2025.
Moving on to the next level as one of the league’s general managers has been a lifelong dream, according to Mehta. He also reportedly drew attention from a few other clubs, including the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“This is a dream come true for a New Jersey kid who grew up watching Devils’ practices just 20 minutes away in Totowa,” Mehta said. “After meeting with (co-owners) David Blitzer, Josh Harris, Bob Myers, and other members of the organization, I knew this was the place I wanted to be.
“Thank you to Vinnie Viola, Bill Zito and the entire Florida Panthers organization for a fantastic six years and for the opportunity to take the next step in my professional career.”
Poker To Pucks
Born in Grand Rapids, MI, Mehta grew up in the Garden State and took a circuitous route to the GM’s office. He studied jazz guitar and studio music at the University of Miami before moving to New Orleans to perform and record with several local groups.
In 2003, Mehta took up poker as a hobby and began playing full time a year later. When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, he relocated to Las Vegas and met poker author Ed Miller and poker publisher Mason Malmuth. He later co-wrote the strategy books “Professional No-Limit Hold ’em” with Miller and poker player Matt Flynn in 2007 and “Small Stakes No-Limit Hold’em” in 2009.
“One of the pleasures of card playing, and of poker in particular, is that it focuses the mind so that the passage of time and other outside considerations have a way of disappearing,” he told NOLAFugees</em> in 2006.
Later, Mehta switched careers and worked as a derivatives trader at the Chicago Board of Trade and earned a master’s degree in data science from City University of New York.
After the role with the Coyotes, Mehta became the Devils’ director of analytics in 2014 before moving on to jobs with the Washington Capitals and working with six Major League Baseball teams.
In 2020, Mehta signed on as vice president of hockey strategy and intelligence with the Florida Panthers. He now inherits a Devils team that has missed the playoffs two out of the last three years.
Hockey & Gambling
In other hockey-related poker and gaming news, a former semi-pro hockey player won the Venom PKO tournament at ACR Poker in November for about $675,000.
In October, the NHL announced a partnership with prediction market firm Kalshi.
Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid recently appeared in a BetMGM commercial promoting responsible gambling. Poker has been a popular game with minor league hockey players for several years.
