Athletes’ Advice Fuels Dillon‘s Recovery | FEATURE
Brenden Dillon’s playoff run ended not with a resounding check, but a disconcerting stumble. During Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes last April, an awkward collision with William Carrier left the veteran defenseman buckling to the ice, unable to regain his footing. While the impact itself wasn’t notably forceful, Dillon instantly sensed something was amiss.
“It was confusing, honestly,” Dillon explained at the opening of training camp. “I’ve been hit harder, fallen harder, countless times. It was a play that happens a million times, and there wasn’t a clear signal from my body that anything was seriously wrong.”
Despite the lack of immediate pain, the devils’ training staff intervened, preventing Dillon from returning to the game. He admits he initially struggled with their decision. “There was no real pain, and it was Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs – the adrenaline was pumping. I didn’t have any bodily signal telling me I shouldn’t go back out there.”
The subsequent diagnosis revealed a important neck injury, ultimately requiring an artificial disc replacement surgery. Unlike common hockey injuries like knee or shoulder problems, the recovery path was uncertain. “With a knee or shoulder, you know what it is, the timeframe is usually six to eight months,” Dillon said. “But with a neck injury, there aren’t a lot of precedents in our sport.”
The uncertainty was compounded by the possibility he’d been playing with a pre-existing condition for some time. “Maybe I was playing with it for a year, maybe a couple of years, who knows? That play was just the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Throughout the summer, Dillon leaned heavily on the support of the Devils organization.He emphasized the crucial role of the medical staff,Head Coach Lindy Ruff (“Fitzy”),and the consistent care he received. “I’m so appreciative of how the Devils treated things,” he said. “I had someone from the organization with me every step of the way, helping me out, caring for me, checking in, making sure things went according to plan. I feel incredibly grateful.”
Dillon is now fully recovered and back on the ice, a testament to both the successful surgery and the comprehensive support system surrounding him. He acknowledges the challenging decision to undergo the procedure,separating “Brenden Dillon the hockey player” from “Brenden Dillon the person” and prioritizing long-term health. The experience has left him with a deep recognition for the team’s commitment to his well-being, a commitment that prevented him from potentially exacerbating the injury in those crucial early moments of the playoffs.
