Devils’ Brenden Dillon Sets Game in 900th NHL Game – Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

As the New Jersey Devils take on the Washington Capitals on Saturday night, veteran defenseman Brenden Dillon will be hanging up his 900th NHL game against one of his former clubs.

Dillon, an undrafted defenseman, began his NHL career in 2011-12 as a 21-year-old with the Dallas Stars. That season, he played one game but suited up for 48 games in 2012-13 and has established himself as one of the strongest defenders in the league today.

Now, 14 seasons later and at the age of 34, Dillon is about to match the milestone game and become just the 185th defenseman in NHL history to reach 900 games played. Not bad for an undrafted player. Notably, he would also become the 101st undrafted NHL player to reach the 900 game milestone and just the 32nd undrafted defenseman to do so.

Related: Predators’ Luke Schenn Reaches 1,000 Game Milestone

In his career, Dillon has pitched with the Stars, San Jose Sharks, Washington Capitals, Winnipeg Jets and, now, the Devils.

Through his first 899 games, Dillon has 37 goals and 198 points to go along with 869 career penalty minutes. He played nearly 17,000 minutes during his illustrious career and finished 10th in Calder voting for his 2012-13 offensive defenseman.

While not a great number, Dillon also had two suspensions in his career, the most recent of which came in February of 2024 — and was later lifted by the league.

Dillon signed as a free agent with the Devils on July 1, 2024, on a three-year contract with an average annual salary of $4 million.