Jesper Bratt is set to hit a major career milestone tonight - his 600th NHL game - and fittingly, it’ll come against the same team he debuted against back in October 2017: the Carolina Hurricanes. For the New Jersey Devils forward, the moment is more than just a number. It’s a full-circle moment that speaks to consistency, growth, and the kind of quiet excellence that often flies under the radar in a league full of flashier headlines.
“It’s really special. Time goes fast,” Bratt said ahead of the game.
“Super honored and happy to be doing it here in the same place and in front of the same fans I did my first game. It’s going to be a special time.”
And it should be. Bratt’s journey from sixth-round pick - 162nd overall in the 2016 NHL Draft - to top-line staple is one of the more underrated development arcs in recent Devils history.
In 599 games leading up to tonight, he’s put up 161 goals and 322 assists, good for 483 points. Those aren’t just solid numbers - they’re the kind of production that anchors a team’s top six and drives offense year in and year out.
What makes Bratt’s career even more impressive is how quickly he carved out a role for himself. He didn’t spend years bouncing between the AHL and the NHL or waiting for a break.
He made the Devils’ roster as a teenager and never looked back. That kind of leap, especially for a sixth-rounder, doesn’t happen by accident.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe, who’s had a front-row seat to Bratt’s evolution this season, praised the winger’s approach to the game.
“When I've been asked about him and reflect on him and what I observe is a guy that works extremely hard, is extremely focused and disciplined,” Keefe said. “How he prepares, how he seeks to improve, how he accepts coaching and information. In that sense, he's an easy guy to coach because he's all about getting better and all about helping the team.”
That mindset has paid off this season, too. Through 47 games, Bratt has tallied 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists), continuing to prove he’s not just a complementary piece - he’s a driver. Whether it’s on the power play, at even strength, or in transition, Bratt’s blend of speed, vision, and puck control makes him a constant threat.
Keefe summed it up best: “From where he was drafted to how quickly he got into the league to how he found ways to be successful despite being an undersized guy to being a premier player in the league. Quite a story, great accomplishment for him. I feel like he's just getting started.”
And that’s the thing - 600 games in, and Bratt’s still trending upward. He’s not just surviving in the NHL; he’s thriving. For a Devils team looking to take the next step in its rebuild, having a player like Bratt - homegrown, battle-tested, and still improving - is the kind of foundation you build around.
Puck drops at 7 PM tonight. And while the focus will be on the matchup with Carolina, don’t overlook the significance of No. 63 stepping onto the ice for the 600th time. It’s a testament to the work he’s put in, the trust the organization has placed in him, and the kind of steady excellence that every contending team needs.