Former Adirondack Thunder defenseman Topias Vilen became the 780th former ECHL player to reach the National Hockey League when he debuted with the New Jersey Devils on Sunday against Ottawa.
Vilen is the 12th former ECHL player to make his NHL debut during the 2025-26 season. He tallied 10 points (3g-7a) in six games with the Thunder during the 2023-24 season.
A fifth-round selection (129th overall) of the Devils in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Vilen has totaled 77 points (7g-70a) in 171 career games with Utica of the American Hockey League.