What is in the 2019-20 New Jersey Devils Season Ticket Holder Box

There are many signs for the fan to look forward to as the NHL regular season gets closer. Prospect games are one. The beginning of training camp is another. The beginning of preseason games also works for some. And for the fans who are season ticket holders, it is when they receive their package for the upcoming season. I received a package from the New Jersey Devils today and it is indeed the 2019-20 box for season ticket holders (STH). As with previous seasons, I will show you what is in this year’s box.

The actual shipping package in unassuming. It is literally a taped up box. As with books, one should not judge it by its cover. It is what is inside that counts.

Picture by John Fischer

After the use of some scissors to break the tape, I was greeted by a big red box. On the top is the Best Logo in Sports and red reflective embossed lettering reading “New Jersey Devils.”

Picture by John Fischer

I took this profile shot to highlight how large this year’s box is. It is much thicker than last year’s box. It also has “We are the Ones” in red, reflective embossed lettering. The issue with reflective lettering is that it is not always the easiest to take a picture of it. I assure you, it is there.

Picture by John Fischer

After opening up the box, it was clearly apparent this year’s box is also a lot less wordy than last year’s box. There was a statement, a picture of a Devils player’s glove reaching out to the fans, and a form letter from Ray Shero and John Hynes. None of that is in this year’s box. While structured like last year’s box there were only two messages, both in red, reflective embossed lettering. First, on the outside of the inside flap:

Picture by John Fischer

Second, on the inside of that flap, there is a longer message. Since these are not the easiest thing to take a picture of, it reads: “We are the Ones / To usher in a new era / We are the ones / Who carry on tradition / We are the ones / Who will Rock the Rock / We are the Ones.”

Picture by John Fischer

It is not that inspiring of a message. Maybe if it was part of a pre-game hype video or something like that. As a part of a printed box, it is does not have a motivating impact. Beyond that flap are the actual goods in the box. Which are almost exactly the same as the last few years of STH boxes as the Devils have been moving to digital tickets. So you get a membership card.

Picture and finger by John Fischer

This year’s card is smaller than last year’s. It also has the same function as last year’s card. It can be scanned for discounts at the arena and used for entry into Devils Membership events. Despite it including your account number and seat location, it cannot be used as a ticket or entry into the Rock. It has P.K. Subban, Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Taylor Hall on it. And, of course, this season’s tagline of “We are the ones.” That is your only player representation in the box. At least there is more on it than past years where it was literally just a red card with “Devils Membership” on it.

As with last year, you get a lanyard, a pin, and a short informational packet:

Picture by John Fischer

Let’s take a closer look. First, the pin, which is not in color like last season. It is all in a goldish hue:

Picture and fingers by John Fischer

And the lanyard, which is very much a lanyard and acts the same way as last year’s lanyard:

Picture and fingers by John Fischer

Last year’s membership packet was a fold out piece of paper. This year, the Devils sprung for some staples so it is a booklet. It still has the same information. The first two pages list out the benefits of being a Devils member and advertises the NHL App for the Devils. This is actually important as the Devils have been moving more and more to using digital-only tickets for STHs. If I recall correctly, one of the optional perks for Devils STHs this season were to have printed tickets. I did not choose that option so I do not have them.

Picture by John Fischer

For what it is worth, they are not yet uploaded to the NHL App or Ticketmaster’s App. Hopefully it will happen soon as the first preseason game is on this coming Monday. (Wednesday update: It has been rectified. Thank you, Devils staff who read this post.) Anyway, the next page is a two-page add for Investors Bank. The last two pages are a calendar view of the Devils’ schedule for the 2019-20 season:

Picture by John Fischer

Now, there is something actually good and tangible and even useful in this box. As noted on the front of the Membership Guide, there is a Devils branded scarf in the box. You just lift the foam tray and there it is:

Picture by John Fischer

This is a dual-sided scarf. One half is red with the Best Logo in Sports, two sets of black and white stripes (bring it back to the bottom of the jerseys, please), and spells out New Jersey Devils.

Picture by John Fischer

On the other side, it is white with red and black stripes, and states “We are the Ones” along with the Best Logo in Sports:

Picture by John Fischer

As much as I do not really care for the constant pushing of “We are the ones” as a tagline, this is a quality scarf. This is not a thin or a cheaply made scarf. This is a scarf that you can wear in the winter with a coat or jacket and it will help keep you warm. This is a scarf that you can lift and stretch out to show your support to the team like a soccer scarf. This is something the Devils could (and may) sell for $20-30 at the Devils Den. It is a gift inside these STH boxes. I mentioned in my opening of last year’s box that the Devils would be wise to provide a tangible gift in these boxes like the New York Red Bulls do (or did). They did that and they did a great job with the scarf.

I still think this year’s box is lackluster in the same way that previous boxes were. Perhaps more so since someone really, really liked red reflective embossed letting on a red box with a red flap. Outside of those pictured on the membership card, there is no promotion of any of the players. That is a missed opportunity given that the Devils faithful all around the world are very excited that the Devils have Subban, Hughes, Hischier, and Hall. But, again, it is not about the box but what is in the box. The goods were the same as last year except for the scarf. And those goods were the same as the prior year’s box except mine had printed tickets in it. Since the actual season tickets are going to be digital and accessible in a mobile app, there is not much of a need for a big box. With the scarf this year, it makes more sense. Yet, I would not be surprised that future shipments may be just for the gifts (or a voucher to pick them up?) and a note stating when the tickets will be accessible. Given how much season tickets have become since the Rock opened, I am not all that happy about writing that. But this is how I see it going in the future.

All the same, receiving the 2019-20 STH box was a pleasant reminder that the 2019-20 season is coming soon. Preseason games will be another. Before you know it, the focus will be about Our Favorite Team trying to win games that count. I cannot wait for that.

If you are also a season ticket holder, you may have received your box today. If not, then you will likely get it real soon. Whether or not you did or will get a box from the Devils, what do you think of this year’s box? What do you think of its look and packaging? What do you think of the scarf? If you were in charge of the boxes for next season, what would you do differently for next year’s box to make it worth more for STHs? Would you even have a box to ship to STHs? Please leave your answers and other thoughts about the 2019-20 season ticket holder box in the comments. Thank you for reading.