The long time Canes blueliner will be joining a division rival on a big, new deal.
After spending 11 years with the Carolina Hurricanes organization with nine of those being on the ice, defenseman Brett Pesce hit the free agency market and signed a six-year deal with the New Jersey Devils.
Pesce, 29, is from Tarrytown, New York which is just 45 minutes from the Prudential Center putting the veteran defenseman very close to home and family, something that was important to him.
"It was a crazy day, but the end of it, I did know I wanted to end up here," Pesce said in his introductory call with New Jersey media. "I loved my time as a Cane and sometimes it's just the nature of the business that it doesn't work out. But playing close to home, for me, is something really important. To be 45 minutes from the Prudential Center is a dream come true. I can't really ask for anything more."
Pesce will have a $5.5 million cap hit with the Devils, which is $1.475 million more per year than on his pervious deal.
While the Canes would have liked to have kept the fan favorite with the team, they just weren't going to offer that term and money especially with Pesce starting to build up a bit of injury history.
"It was tough," Pesce said of leaving Carolina. "Very tough decision for my family and my wife and I. But ultimately, I had a great run there, so many good memories."
Pesce also spoke very glowingly about his former coach Rod Brind'Amour.
"So much respect for that guy," Pesce said. "It was a tough conversation calling him yesterday and telling him I'm going to go to free agency and explore options, but I have a lot to thank from him. Kind of changed that whole culture around the Canes and taught me how to be a better person and a better ice hockey player. He's a lifelong friend for sure."
Pesce played in 627 games for the Hurricanes putting up 39 goals and 198 points in that span.
But it was his defense he was known for.
The veteran blueliner is one of the best in the league at zone entry denial and he does a really good job of protecting inner slot and cross-seam passes.
He was sorely missed in the postseason this year.
