Devils’ Brett Pesce: ‘I Always Knew I Wanted to End Up Here'

Located 45 minutes north of the Prudential Center is Tarrytown, New York, the hometown of 29-year-old NHL defenseman Brett Pesce .

Growing up, Pesce played youth hockey in Hackensack with the New Jersey Avalanche at the triple AAA level and New Jersey Hitmen at the junior level (EJHL).

When it came time for the NHL draft, which was held at Prudential Center, the Carolina Hurricanes selected him 66th overall in 2013.

For the first 627 games of his NHL career, he played for the Hurricanes. The 6-foot-3 defenseman blocked shots, collected assists, and participated in the storm surge.

Pesce was set to hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent at noon on July 1st, and while there was sure to be interest, only one team was on his radar.

Thankfully, New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald wanted Pesce as much as Pesce wanted to play for him. A deal was agreed upon, and the blueliner signed a six-year, $33 million dollar contract.

"It went smooth to be honest," Pesce said during his media availability. "I wanted to be there. They wanted me. It was a pretty smooth interaction between my agent and Fitzgerald. At the end of the day, I always knew I wanted to end up here."

"Playing close to home for me is something really important. To be 45 minutes from the Prudential Center is a dream come true," he continued. "I played my youth hockey in Hackensack. I can't ask for anything more."

Like most players, Pesce explained that he would not sign anywhere where he did not think he would win a Cup and was complimentary of his new teammates.

"You look at the group that they have, Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt , Nico Hischier; it is not fun playing against them, to be honest. It is tough seeing them flying up the wing and you defending them. Those guys are the cream of the crop. That is why I am so excited to get going because I think the sky is the limit for this team."

Fitzgerald confirmed that Pesce will play against the opposing team's top lines, a role he is familiar with.

"I'm a defensive-minded defenseman. I'll join the rush when I can. But I know my role. I take a lot of pride in playing against other team's top lines and doing my best to shut them down. Provide reliable, steady play on the backend," Pesce said.

Pesce joins a blue line that includes Jonas Siegenthaler, Dougie Hamilton , Luke Hughes, Brenden Dillon, and Simon Nemec. Fitzgerald also has defensive depth with Johnathan Kovacevic and Nick DeSimone .

He will wear number 22 for New Jersey during the 2024-25 season. Devils fans will be able to get their first look at him in red and black when the club's preseason schedule begins in late September.

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