Brett Alex Pesce Bio
Brett Alex Pesce is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League. He was selected 66th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and began his professional career in 2015.
Early Life and Background
Brett Alex Pesce was born on November 15, 1994, in Tarrytown, New York, and is a United States national. He attended Irvington High School and played varsity hockey on a joint Irvington-Sleepy Hollow team, graduating in June 2012.
Pesce developed as a youth player in the New Jersey area and spent time with the New Jersey Hitmen of the Eastern Junior Hockey League. His family background includes Italian descent, a detail he has acknowledged publicly.
Path to Hockey
Pesce committed to play collegiate ice hockey at the University of New Hampshire and appeared for the New Hampshire Wildcats beginning as a freshman. After his freshman season he was selected in the third round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes.
During his collegiate career Pesce increased his offensive output, posting seven goals and 21 points in 41 games in 2013–14 and 16 points in 31 games in his subsequent season. After 109 games with the Wildcats he chose to forgo his final year of NCAA eligibility and signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on March 27, 2015.
Brett Alex Pesce Career
Early Career (2012–2015)
Pesce’s early senior-level experience came after his decision to turn professional following his junior year at the University of New Hampshire. He signed an amateur try-out with the Charlotte Checkers, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes, and made his professional debut on April 2, 2015, against the Oklahoma City Barons.
Pesce appeared in the Charlotte Checkers’ final four home games to close the 2014–15 regular season and then attended the Hurricanes’ training camp ahead of the 2015–16 season. He began the 2015–16 season with the Checkers before receiving NHL recalls from Carolina during his rookie year.
Carolina Hurricanes Breakthrough (2015–2024)
Brett Pesce made his National Hockey League debut for the Carolina Hurricanes on October 24, 2015, in a game versus the San Jose Sharks. He recorded his first NHL goal on November 22, 2015, and added an assist in a 4–3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, marking a rapid early milestone in his NHL career.
Over subsequent seasons Pesce established himself as a reliable blueliner for Carolina, moving into a top-four defensive role by the 2019–20 season and contributing four goals and 18 points over 61 games that campaign. He suffered a right shoulder injury on February 22, 2020, against the Toronto Maple Leafs that required season-ending surgery and curtailed his 2019–20 campaign.
Across his tenure with the Hurricanes Pesce became valued for his steady defensive play, transitional passing and ability to contribute on the power play when required. He continued to be a regular presence on Carolina’s defensive pairings through the 2023–24 season prior to entering unrestricted free agency.
New Jersey Devils Era (2024–Present)
On July 1, 2024, Brett Alex Pesce signed a six-year, $33 million contract with the New Jersey Devils as an unrestricted free agent. The contract runs from 2024 through 2030 with an average annual value consistent with the reported total, and it represents his first NHL contract outside the Carolina organization.
Pesce joined the New Jersey Devils after nine seasons within the Hurricanes organization including development time in the AHL with the Charlotte Checkers. His move to New Jersey aligned him with a franchise seeking to bolster its defensive corps with experienced, right-shot defensemen.
Driving Style and Strengths
Pesce is a right-shot defenseman listed at 6 ft 3 in and 200 lb, noted for steady defensive positioning, reach, and the ability to make outlet passes to start transitions. His résumé shows adaptability to top-four minutes, a willingness to play in his own zone under pressure, and contributions on special teams when called upon.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Pesce’s career include his NHL debut on October 24, 2015, his first NHL goal and assist on November 22, 2015, and his move to the New Jersey Devils on July 1, 2024, via a six-year contract. The right shoulder injury in February 2020 and subsequent surgery also stand as a significant medical milestone in his professional timeline.
Brett Alex Pesce Career Wins
Pesce’s career highlights include collegiate scoring advances at the University of New Hampshire, a professional debut with the Charlotte Checkers in 2015, and multiple meaningful contributions at the NHL level with the Carolina Hurricanes, including his first goal and point-producing performances during his rookie season.
National Hockey League Highlights
Pesce recorded his first NHL goal and an assist in the same game to help the Carolina Hurricanes to a 4–3 win over the Los Angeles Kings on November 22, 2015. By the 2019–20 NHL season he was regularly deployed in a top-four role and produced four goals and 18 points across 61 games prior to his season-ending shoulder surgery.
Other Wins & Perfromances
In collegiate hockey Pesce reached a personal best seven goals and 21 points in 41 games in 2013–14 and followed with 16 points in 31 games in his junior year, totals that contributed to his decision to sign a professional contract. His AHL debut for the Charlotte Checkers on April 2, 2015, provided early professional experience that led directly to NHL opportunities the next season.
Brett Alex Pesce Family
Family Background and Heritage
Brett Pesce is publicly noted as being of Italian descent. Beyond that heritage note, public records provided here do not include additional verifiable details about his immediate family or parents.
Personal Life
Pesce attended Irvington High School and later the University of New Hampshire, reflecting a pathway through local youth hockey programs in New Jersey and collegiate development in New England. He maintains an active social media presence, including an Instagram account listed publicly.
2025 Season Performance
For the 2024–25 season and into 2025 Brett Alex Pesce is under contract with the New Jersey Devils after signing a six-year deal on July 1, 2024. The contract places him on New Jersey’s roster and positions him to contribute as a right-shot defenseman within the Devils’ defensive group.
Available public details confirm Pesce’s transition from the Carolina Hurricanes to the New Jersey Devils and the contract terms reported at signing, while in-season performance statistics for 2025 will be recorded by league and team sources as play progresses. This profile documents his career to date, including collegiate development, professional debut, NHL milestones, and his status with the Devils as of 2025.
