North Billerica’s Marc McLaughlin excited about new start with New Jersey Devils

The deafening roar triggered by his one-timer from the left hash mark could be heard from Causeway Street in Boston to North Billerica. Marc McLaughlin enjoyed quite the National Hockey League debut three years ago, unleashing a perfectly-placed shot to the top right corner on a pass from Trent Frederic to pot his first NHL goal as a member of his hometown club in an 8-1 romp over the New Jersey Devils. Fast forward to this summer, and the North Billerica native and former Boston College standout is set to continue his professional career in a familiar organization. After being dealt by Boston to the Devils in March for blueliner Daniil Misyul, McLaughlin inked a one-year, two-way contract with New Jersey through the 2025-26 season earlier this month. McLaughlin, who was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Bruins in 2022, would go on to skate in 26 NHL games in four seasons while spending the majority of his time in the American Hockey League. When McLaughlin returned to the bowels of TD Garden last spring as a member of the very club in which he was celebrating his first goal against, it marked a full circle moment — and fresh start — for his professional career. In a 5-4 overtime victory for the visiting Devils on April 15, McLaughlin picked up an assist in his return home in front of his friends and family in his first NHL game since being traded from Boston. McLaughlin won an offensive zone faceoff against Pavel Zacha cleanly to defenseman Simon Nemec, who beat Jeremy Swayman to provide the Devils with a 3-2 lead in the second period. McLaughlin said being traded from the Bruins was a whirlwind of an experience, but coming back to TD Garden donning a different sweater was “another whirlwind in itself.” “Coming back into TD Garden wearing a different jersey was definitely a little bit weird,” McLaughlin said. “But once the game got going, there’s no friends out there and you’re competing as hard as you can to try to win. And we did, which was awesome as well.” McLaughlin would appear in one more game with New Jersey before finishing the season in the AHL with the Utica Comets, where he registered six assists in 16 games. Erik Haula, left, of the New Jersey Devils battles for the puck with Marc McLaughlin of the Boston Bruins during the first period of an NHL game in 2022. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) After posting 26-32-58 in 169 games with the Providence Bruins across four different seasons with the organization, McLaughlin proved his mettle as a steady forward who could contribute at the NHL level when called upon. After finding twine in his lone NHL appearance in 2023-24, McLaughlin managed to score two goals in 12 games with the Bruins last season before hitting the trade block. McLaughlin said he is appreciative of the Bruins organization but is excited to embark on a new stage of his career. “I’m really excited,” McLaughlin said of starting a new chapter with the Devils. “I think the style of play that they have amongst the whole organization, from the Devils to the Utica AHL team, I think it fits my style really well.” McLaughlin’s calling card is his 200-foot game with reliable play in all three zones; something he said he hopes to bring to New Jersey. As a senior at BC, McLaughlin was honored with the Frank Jones Award as New England’s top defensive forward. “Just being reliable and bringing that hard-working attitude and just being hard to play against is something that I like to bring as a two-way forward,” he said. His blueprint for success is synonymous with his roots. McLaughlin, who learned to skate at Hallenborg Ice Pavilion in Billerica, embraces the blue-collar mentality his hometown so proudly represents. While McLaughlin didn’t play for the Indians when attending Billerica High as a freshman, he was an avid supporter of Billerica’s run to a state hockey title last winter. Many members of the hockey team then played key roles in a lacrosse state crown in the spring. “I was pumped for them,” McLaughlin said. “I’m proud of them most of all. Everyone in Billerica has a lot of town pride, myself included. It’s a very hard-working and motivated group of athletes that want to win.” McLaughlin, who has a relationship with Billerica High hockey head coach Jim Egan and lacrosse head coach Ryan Nickerson, was proud to watch both teams claim hardware. “I know how much time and effort coach Nickerson and coach Egan put into both their teams,” McLaughlin said. “I’m so happy to see that hard work pay off for them. They’re amazing coaches, but they’re both even better guys.” Billerica has built a handful of successful programs throughout all three athletic seasons, with state titles in track and field and competitive teams across the board. “They have that identity of grit and hard work and toughness,” McLaughlin said. “I carry that with me, and I know a lot of the athletes in Billerica carry that with them. It’s really cool to see two teams in Billerica win a championship this year.” Regardless of where his playing career takes him, McLaughlin’s game will always project the trademarks of what makes Billerica athletics so competitive. And he’ll do so in a way that inspires the next generation. “That means a lot to me,” McLaughlin said. “I carry that with me everywhere I go, that there’s little kids in Billerica, any sport, that are looking up to me. I just like to set an example as best I can. And that’s through hard work, that’s through being a good person and just showing up and having fun with the game of hockey. And that’s the best advice you can give anyone, is to have fun with it.”