The New Jersey Devils’ 34-year-old defenseman, Brenden Dillon, opened up about his scary neck injury against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, leaving him sidelined for the remainder of the series.
New Jersey Devils’ Brenden Dillon Opens Up on Scary Injury
The Devils defenseman opened up about his recent — and scary — neck injury in the second period of their Game 1 loss to the Hurricanes in the first round of this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs.
Regarding the injury that kept him out of the rest of the series that wrapped up on Tuesday, April 29, after a 5-4 double-overtime loss, Dillon, who played in all 82 games this season, said, “I’ve never had anything that bad in my career,” to Devils’ play by play announcer, Bill Spaulding.
“Suffered a neck injury on the play … short term, within Rounds 1 and 2, I wasn’t going to be able to come back, but long term it seems optimistic that I’ll have a normal summer and be ready for camp.”
Brenden Dillon on his injury: “I’ve never had anything that bad in my career. Suffered a neck injury on the play…short term within rounds one and two I wasn’t going to be able to come back but long term it seems optimistic that I’ll have a normal summer and be ready for camp.”
— Bill Spaulding (@BillSpaulding)
Initially listed as a lower-body injury, Dillon left the game in the second period, hoping to return later in the game, but he did not return. It was only after the fact that he was said to have had a career-shaking scare.
Playoff Injuries Not Something New For Dillon
Dillon was a staple during the regular season for the Devils before sustaining the neck injury in Game 1 of the series. Hopeful to return, Dillon inevitably missed the remainder of the series, which New Jersey went on to lose 4-1.
The Devils’ loss in the first round of this year’s playoffs continues a drought of untapped potential with a severely talented roster, marking the second time in the last three playoff appearances that the team has done so. Despite a recent string of playoff appearances, New Jersey has only won a playoff series once in the last 13 seasons.
And for Dillon, being injured in a playoff series, unfortunately, isn’t something new. Dillon recently signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Devils in 2024, but while playing for the Winnipeg Jets last season, he suffered a lacerated hand in Game 3 of the first round, an injury that required not only stitches but also forced Dillon to miss the remainder of the series.
After another scary playoff injury for Dillon, he has his eyes set on next season and should hopefully be ready for the start of training camp this September.
