When Brenden Dillon was told he’d need artificial disc replacement surgery on his neck, the New Jersey Devils defenseman didn’t know where to turn. It’s not an injury many players in the NHL have dealt with, and the uncertainty weighed on him. That’s when a familiar name stepped in.
Could Jack Eichel’s Advice Be the Key to Brenden Dillon’s Return?
Vegas Golden Knights star Jack Eichel had gone through the exact same procedure years earlier, then returned to star form and signed an eight-year, $80 million deal in Vegas.
Dillon connected with him through their surgeon, and the two spoke often over the summer. For Dillon, those conversations became a lifeline.
“It was more than anything just to have the confidence I’d be okay,” Dillon explained. “He almost did the homework for me.” Hearing directly from someone who had made it back and thrived gave Dillon the push he needed to trust the process.
“Multiple times we talked on the phone, shared his thoughts and opinions. That’s the nice thing about the hockey world, is guys are so helpful and good with that. He just shared his thoughts and helped me along. I’m really, really grateful,” Dillon added.
The road there was anything but simple. Dillon first went down in Game 1 of last year’s playoffs after a collision near the net. At first, he didn’t feel pain, just confusion. He tried to skate off and couldn’t as his body wouldn’t respond. The Devils quickly ruled him out, and testing later showed surgery was the only option.
Neck injuries are different from bum knees or shoulders. Few players have experienced them, and that lack of precedent only added to the stress. Dillon admitted he had to seek advice from a wide range of sources, even reaching into other sports like MMA for perspective.
A Long Summer of Rehab
The 34-year-old defenseman leaned on voices across the hockey world and plenty of guidance from New Jersey’s staff. By late summer, he was cleared to skate again without restrictions. While rehab was grueling, the support around him made it manageable.
“The check-ins from our team staff, I had someone from the organization with me every step, helping me out, caring for me, checking in with me, making sure things went according to plan, and I feel incredibly grateful,” he shared.
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Eichel’s example remained the most powerful. Seeing him return to the NHL and dominate after the same surgery reassured Dillon that he could bring his physical style of play back to the Devils without hesitation.
Now, Dillon is gearing up for his second season in New Jersey with a sense of gratitude. He knows how close he came to being sidelined long-term and doesn’t take his return for granted.
More than anything, his journey highlighted the value of shared experiences in hockey. While they might be rivals on the ice, players like Eichel still step up when it matters most.
