Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Devils Coach Had Strong Words on Brenden Dillon's Fight

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Dec 2, 2025 9:22 AM ET

New Jersey Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon left Monday night’s game early after a violent exchange with Columbus Blue Jackets forward Dmitri Voronkov.

The incident occurred just over a minute into the second period. Voronkov initiated a fight near the Devils' net, landing a punch to Dillon’s face before Dillon was set to confront his foe.

Dillon went down hard, was visibly shaken, and needed help leaving the ice. The veteran defenseman returned briefly in the second period but did not appear in the third, leaving his milestone 1,000th NHL game early.

Following the game, Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe was frustrated over how the sequence unfolded.

"There's no more honorable player in this league than Brenden Dillon."

Head Coach Sheldon Keefe speaks after tonight's game ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/knSQFNS6ro
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) December 2, 2025

“There’s no more honorable player in this league than Brenden Dillon,” Keefe said. “He plays as hard and honest game as anybody in the league. He would never do something like that to another player. That I know for certain.”

Keefe said he believed Dillon wasn’t prepared to fight when the blow was delivered, as he had yet to drop the gloves to fight Voronkov.

“I don’t think Dillon knows he’s in a fight and then he’s tackled from behind and before he knows it his helmet’s off, his jersey’s over his head, and we saw what happened from there,” Keefe said. “So, I don’t like it at all.”

Brenden Dillon had to leave his 1000th game following this fight.

(: MSGSN) pic.twitter.com/8ccDQ7JVeB
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 2, 2025

Dillon and Voronkov were both assessed five-minute majors for their fight.

After the game, Keefe made clear none of his Devils players would ever engage someone the way Voronkov did, with his rival still not ready to enter a full-blown fight.

New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period at Prudential Center. Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Dillon entered the night carrying a load of emotions ahead of hitting quadruple-digit NHL games played.

“I just wanted to get one,” Dillon said ahead of the game. “I’m just happy. So thankful to be playing the best game in the world. … It’s been awesome.”

The 35-year-old has three goals and nine points this season and is in his second year with the Devils.

New Jersey dropped the game 5–3 and will host the Dallas Stars on Wednesday. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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