Former ECHL linesman Brandon Grillo will work his first National Hockey League regular-season game on Thursday when the Detroit Red Wings host the Winnipeg Jets. The Canton, Michigan native will be joined on the ice by Gord Dwyer, Peter MacDougall and David Brisebois.
After a four-year collegiate career on the Western Michigan University ACHA team, Grillo played one season of professional hockey for Sudrets HC of the Swedish Second Division. The following season, he served as a graduate assistant for the Clarkson University men's ice hockey team. Grillo became involved in officiating during Covid, working local games to gain experience. The following summer, he attended the NHL Exposure Combine and was hired by the United States Hockey League.
In 2023, Grillo worked the Gold Medal Game at the World Junior Hockey Championships, the Kelly Cup Finals, and the Calder Cup Conference Finals.