On Thursday, July 28th, the Devils announced that they traded Brian Rolston to the New York Islanders for Trent Hunter.

Hunter has spent his entire NHL career with the New York Islanders.  Rolston, began his NHL career with the New Jersey Devils during the 1994-95 season and spent a total of 9 seasons of his 16 year NHL career with the Devils.

Hunter, 31, joins the Devils after spending nine seasons with the Islanders’ organization. His career totals show 99 goals and 130 assists for 229 points and 201 penalty minutes in 459 career NHL contests. The 6-3, 210-lb. forward has also appeared in 14 career playoff games, posting four goals and one assist for five points and six penalty minutes. He had career highs of 25 goals, 26 assists and 51 points and was named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team in 2003-04. Hunter saw action with the Islanders and Bridgeport (AHL) in both 2001-02 and 2002-03. He made his regular-season NHL debut in 2002-03, after appearing in four games during the 2002 Stanley Cup Playoffs vs. Toronto. Born July 5, 1980 in Red Deer, Alta., he made his professional debut with Springfield (AHL) in 2000-01. He was acquired by the NY Islanders from Anaheim on May 23, 2000. Hunter was the Mighty Ducks’ fourth choice (sixth round) and 150th overall selection in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He played three seasons of junior hockey for Prince George (WHL).

Rolston, 38, recorded 14 goals and 20 assists for 34 points and 34 penalty minutes in 65 games last season. He was one of 20 players to be re-acquired and play for New Jersey.

(New Jersey Devils Official Press Release)

Rolston’s brother, Ron, was also recently named as head coach of the Rochester Americans (the Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate).