The Utica Devils displaced the Mohawk Valley Comets of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League that had played there since 1985.

Utica was coached by Tom McVie for four seasons from 1987 to 1991, followed by Herb Brooks in 1991–92 and Robbie Ftorek in 1992–93.

Notable players who at one time were Utica Devils include Martin Brodeur, Bill Guerin, Kevin Todd, Corey Schwab, Bobby Holik, Claude Vilgrain, Valeri Zelepukin, Jason Smith, and Jim Dowd.

In 1993, the NHL's Calgary Flames purchased the Utica Devils franchise from the New Jersey Devils and subsequently relocated the team to Saint John, New Brunswick, to become the Saint John Flames.

The Devils moved their AHL affiliation to the Albany River Rats the same year.