It’s a long way from the Hope Icebreakers to the NHL spotlight.
New Jersey Devils defencemen Brenden Dillon could barely hold back his tears on Monday, Dec. 1, while talking about playing his 1,000th game in the NHL — making him the 415th player, and the 20th undrafted player, to achieve this in NHL history.
“I just wanted to get one (game),” Dillon told the Devils after being asked what his younger self would have thought about his achievement. “I’m just happy, excited, and so thankful to play in the best league in the world. From every coach I’ve had, to every player, to every teammate, it’s been awesome.”
From mini-sticks to milestones, Brenden Dillon turned his childhood dreams into a reality. pic.twitter.com/a107gNoI3U
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) December 1, 2025
Dillon, who entered the NHL undrafted, achieved this impressive milestone during the New Jersey Devils’ game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Monday.
During the game, Dillon was honoured by both his team and the NHL for his achievement. Devils captain Nico Hischier presented Dillon with gifts from the team (which included the game sheet, and a puck, from his 1,000th game) while Devils managing partners, David and Alison Blitze, gave him a silver stick.
Dillon’s wife also gave him a hat with the words “1,000 NHL games” embroidered on the inside.
This is Dillon’s second season with the Devils. As of Thursday, Dec. 4, his career stats include 1,001 games played, 42 goals, 179 assists, 221 points, and 949 penalty minutes.
His career-high is 23 points in 2022-23. He also scored eight goals in 2023-24.
Raised in Surrey, Dillon joined the Hope Icebreakers in 2006 when it was still a Junior B team in the Pacific Junior Hockey League. He was with the team for one season before joining the Western Hockey League’s Seattle Thunderbirds in 2007.
He made his NHL debut in 2011 after the Dallas Stars signed him as a free agent. He was then traded to the San Jose Sharks in 2014, shipped to the Washington Capitals in 2020, and moved to the Winnipeg Jets in 2021. After three seasons with the Jets he signed a three-year, $12 million, contract with the New Jersey Devils.