Brenden Dillon has been an invaluable asset to the New Jersey Devils amid the 2025-26 season. His plus play has helped keep his team atop the Metropolitan Division as they navigate through injury adversity. However, he’s being fined for his actions against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night in the Devils’ 4-3 overtime victory.
The Department of Player Safety announced on Thursday morning that, “Brenden Dillon has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for boarding Chicago’s Tyler Bertuzzi.”
At 17:16 of the first period against the Blackhawks, Dillon entered a puck battle below the goal line by gliding into Tyler Bertuzzi, and crushing him with a hit.
Bertuzzi came out of the corner unharmed, but Dillon’s hit was certainly high. His elbow caught Bertuzzi in the head, and he was assessed a two-minute minor for boarding.
On the ensuing power play for Chicago, Connor Bedard opened the scoring after a flurry of saves from Jacob Markstrom, who ultimately ended up out of position on follow-up chances.
Dillon is technically a repeat offender. In February 2024, as a member of the Winnipeg Jets, the now Devils defenseman was suspended three games for an illegal check to the head of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Noel Acciari.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Brenden Dillon ended up forfeiting $60,937.50. The money went to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
He was also previously suspended as a member of the San Jose Sharks in 2017, for a slashing infraction against then Washington Capitals defenseman Madison Bowey.
Dillon is a physical defensive defenseman. Thus, these types of incidents are bound to happen. By no means is he labeled as a dirty player, just one who is unafraid to use the body.
Fortunately for the Devils, no one was injured this time, and Dillon walks away with a slap on the wrist.
