CALGARY – The Devils were hoping to find the second coming of Scott Stevens yesterday when they drafted hard-hitting defenseman David Hale with the 22nd pick in the NHL entry draft.

Hale, however, might take his time in joining the Stanley Cup champions, as he plans to be a freshman at the University of North Dakota next season.

Considered a punishing and intimidating player, the 6-1,204-pound Colorado native played for Sioux City of the underwhelming USHL last season.”We’re very pleased, extremely pleased,” Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said. “We’re happy to get the boy that we got. He’s a prototype defenseman, the type that competes every second they’re on the ice.”

Hale (6-12-18) ranked fifth among the USHL in penalty minutes with 187.