Born in Seaforth, Ontario, Devereaux played Junior D with the local Sailors before playing Junior B with the Stratford Cullitons. In parts of two years with the OHL's Kitchener Rangers, the talented youngster became one of the top amateur prospects in Canada and was a member of Canada's World Junior Team that captured gold at the 1997 World Junior Championships. In 1996 he was named the CHL Scholastic Player-of-the-Year and was claimed sixth overall by the Edmonton Oilers at the NHL Entry Draft. During his rookie season in 1997-98 Devereaux played 38 games but struggled with his confidence and consistency and spent some time with the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs. He improved slightly the next season with six goals and solid defensive work. By his third NHL season he improved a bit more at both ends of the ice but the Oilers had a number of talented forwards requiring ice time.



Devereaux had been battling post concussion syndrome and which had limited his play was subsequently he was released by the Oilers and signed as a free agent by the Detroit Red Wings. Upon his arrival with the Red Wings in 2000-01, the Seaforth, Ontario native became a reliable utility player which resulted in Detroit's third Stanley Cup in six years in 2003 and Devereaux first. After four seasons in Detroit, Devereaux was acquired by the Phoenix Coyotes in the summer of 2004.