Whether you like them or not, the New Jersey Devils have quietly put together an impressive string of Stanley Cup championships.

The architect behind the three Cups in nine years is Devils president, general manager, and CEO Lou Lamoriello, the first Hockey East commissioner and former Providence College hockey coach.

Lamoriello is an interesting character whose insistence upon excellence and a total team concept has paid off.

One of the first things he did when he became the Hockey East commissioner in 1984 was make the referees and linesmen the highest paid in college hockey. He insisted on the league being first class in every aspect.

And the league’s accomplishments speak for themselves as the 25th season approaches.

There has been a Hockey East team in the last seven NCAA championship games with 12 teams making it to the Frozen Four in those seven seasons.

Lamoriello’s coaching style mirrors the Devils’ success.

He wouldn’t single out individuals on his Friar teams and they always played a disciplined system. Many of us thought his teams would have been even more successful if he had loosened the reins.

The Devils have broken the mold.

The rule of thumb is that inferior teams play the trap and get four or five skaters on the defensive side of the puck to negate the superior skill of their opponent.

The Devils have actually had skill and Lamoriello and his management team have convinced the players to shelve their egos and embrace the total team concept.

How else can you explain three Stanley Cups with three different coaches (Jacques Lemaire, Larry Robinson, and Pat Burns)?

In 2000, coach Robbie Ftorek was replaced by Robinson with eight games left in the regular season and the Devils still won the Cup.

The problem is they are a bore and their style of play negates the skill and finesse of their opponents.

It makes for terrible TV.

You knew the only chance Anaheim’s Mighty Ducks had to win Game 7 was to score first. They didn’t.

And once the Devils made it 2-0, there was no reason to watch any more.

The Ducks simply didn’t shoot the puck enough. They tried to make plays.

Against a team as thorough defensively as the Devils, you have to throw the puck to the front of the net and hope to generate a rebound or have the puck glance in off a skate.

The more time you take to make a play, the less chance you have of getting the puck to the net. That would give New Jersey time to get its last backchecker on the defensive side of the puck.

It was nice to see the Ducks defy the odds to force a seventh game and for people to see the determination of former UMaine Hobey Baker Award winner Paul Kariya after absorbing a vicious check from Scott Stevens and scoring the clinching goal in Game 6.

It was also gratifying to see another former Bear, Keith Carney, finally receive the recognition he deserves for being one of the NHL’s top defensive defenseman.

The Ducks and their remarkable run saved the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Unfortunately, the ratings will stink, as always; more teams will try to emulate the Devils and the scores will continue to mimic Major League Soccer.

Larry Mahoney can be reached at 990-8231, 1-800-310-8600 or by email at lmahoney@bangordailynews.net.