New Face on the Stage: Inside Garrett Pilon’s NHL Debut Against the Philadelphia Flyers

Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images

The announcement prior to the Washington Capitals’ Saturday night game against the Philadelphia Flyers that former third-round draft pick Garrett Pilon was added to the active roster, becoming the latest Capitals prospect to don the Red, White, and Blue for the first time.

The son of former NHLer Rich Pilon (also a teammate of Capitals defenseman Zdeno Chara during his time with the New York Islanders) was drafted by the Caps with the 87th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and has had a strong season with the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears, recording 16 points in 14 Games Played with the Chocolate and White, and becomes the fourth Capitals draft pick to debut for the team this season.

Garrett Pilon, the Capitals’ third round draft pick in 2016, will make his NHL debut tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers. pic.twitter.com/psh7az0iPy

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) May 8, 2021

Pilon played a total of 10:43 for Head Coach Peter Laviolette, recording no shots on goal while remaining an Even Plus/Minus rating. Prior to the game, Pilon took the customary first laps alone, before being joined by his teammates.

Go off, Garrett!#ALLCAPS | @gpilon41 pic.twitter.com/IJkxKoZNKR

— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 8, 2021

Pilon’s taking the ice with Chara, who is 21 years his senior, gives Chara the distinction of playing alongside both Garrett and his father Rich, who played with Chara in New York during Chara’s first three seasons with the Islanders.

If Garrett Pilon makes his NHL debut tonight with Capitals with Zdeno Chara in the lineup (appears to be the case), Chara will have played NHL games with him and his father Rich Pilon.

Chara and Rich Pilon were teammates with the Islanders during Chara’s first 3 NHL seasons.

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) May 8, 2021

Pilon’s former junior team, the Kamloops Blazers tweeted a tribute to their former player on the night of his NHL debut, telling him to “Enjoy the moment”:

You’ve come a long ways @gpilon41 🔥🔥
Enjoy the moment! @Capitals https://t.co/i6YKi6IzaU pic.twitter.com/FdmSELFHZM

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) May 8, 2021

In addition to his playing time at even-strength, Pilon saw 52 seconds of power play time as well.

yep, welcome to the show pic.twitter.com/0nzQWC2xDW

— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 8, 2021

Pilon and Michael Raffl would be awarded the headbands for the game.

The rook and Raffl🚁#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/BFORgUJbpH

— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 9, 2021

By Michael Fleetwood