Tonight in Detroit, Brandon Grillo will work his first NHL Regular Season Game at the Little Caesars Arena, with the Winnipeg Jets visiting the hometown Red Wings. The Canton, Michigan native will be joined on the ice by Gord Dwyer, Peter MacDougall, and David Brisebois.
Brandon grew up playing in the Detroit area, then after a year of Junior Hockey in Canada, he joined Western Michigan University’s ACHA Hockey Club. Upon graduation, Grillo continued his playing career with the Sudrets HC, a Swedish Division 2 League, and the following season he joined Clarkson University as a Graduate Assistant for the Men’s Hockey Club.
Grillo became involved in Officiating during the pandemic, working local games to gain experience. He attended the NHL Exposure Combine in 2021 and was hired to work the USHL full-time. He moved to Des Moines, Iowa to work as many games as possible, and after a successful first season, he was hired to work the ECHL and AHL out of Greenville, South Carolina.
In 2023, Grillo worked the Gold Medal Game at the World Junior Hockey Championships, the Kelly Cup Finals, and the Calder Cup Conference Finals. Grillo was offered an NHL Minor League contract that summer.
The NHLOA and its Members would like to congratulate Brandon on his first NHL Regular Season Game and wish him a long and successful career.