Brian Halonen Bio
Brian Raymond Halonen (born January 11, 1999) is an American professional ice hockey player who plays as a left winger for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played college ice hockey for Michigan Tech, where he developed into one of the most productive forwards in the program’s recent history. After signing with the Devils organization, he transitioned into professional hockey and made his NHL debut in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Brian Raymond Halonen was born on January 11, 1999, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the United States. Growing up in Minnesota, a region long recognized for its strong hockey culture, he was surrounded by the sport from an early age. He played high school hockey for Delano, Minnesota, where he skated alongside current NHL player Ben Meyers of the Seattle Kraken, an experience that helped shape his competitive foundation.
Halonen comes from a large family and has 10 siblings, including an older sister and older brother, three younger sisters, and five younger brothers. He is also the cousin of professional ice hockey player Blake Pietila, reinforcing the family’s deep ties to the sport. The blend of Minnesota’s hockey environment and a family already connected to the game provided Halonen with steady encouragement as he pursued his own career.
Path to Hockey
Halonen’s progression into high-level hockey began during his high school years in Delano, where his play alongside future NHL talent signaled his potential. His performances there eventually drew the attention of college recruiters, and he committed to Michigan Technological University, a program competing in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) at the time.
He began his collegiate career with the Michigan Tech Huskies during the 2018–19 season, immediately establishing himself as an offensive contributor. He led the Huskies and all WCHA rookies with 12 goals, earning a place on the All-WCHA Rookie Team and the Norbert Matovich Memorial Outstanding Freshman Award. The strong start laid the groundwork for what would become a record-setting senior campaign.
Brian Halonen Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Across his four seasons at Michigan Tech, Halonen steadily built a reputation as a reliable scoring forward. During his freshman year he posted 12 goals and nine assists in 35 games, then followed with 12 goals and 10 assists in 39 games as a sophomore, finishing fourth on the team with 22 points. As a junior he added eight goals and 10 assists in 28 games, ranking sixth in the nation with four game-winning goals.
His senior season represented a major step forward. He recorded 21 goals and 23 assists in 37 games, leading the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) in points (36) and goals (16) during conference play. On February 11, 2022, he became the 68th player in program history to reach 100 career points, and he later finished as a top-ten finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, the fifth Michigan Tech player to reach that stage. He was also named to the All-CCHA First Team and an AHCA West Second Team All-American.
Professional Breakthrough (2022–2024)
On March 28, 2022, Halonen signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils beginning with the 2022–23 season. He was immediately assigned to the Utica Comets, the Devils’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, on an amateur tryout for the remainder of 2021–22. On April 2, he scored his first professional goal in his second career game, a quick transition that reflected his offensive instincts.
The 2023–24 season began with Halonen on injured reserve. After his activation on December 30, 2023, he returned to Utica, where he produced 20 goals and 29 points in 35 games and led the Comets with nine power-play goals. The Devils recalled him on February 23, 2024, after Nathan Bastian was placed on injured reserve, and he made his NHL debut two days later in a 4–1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
New Jersey Devils Era (2024–Present)
On May 16, 2024, the Devils re-signed Halonen to a two-year, two-way contract carrying a $775,000 cap hit, signaling continued confidence in his development. He continued to split time between Utica and New Jersey as he adjusted to the pace and physicality of NHL competition.
On November 1, 2025, Halonen scored his first career NHL goal against the Los Angeles Kings, finishing a short-angled shot to reach the milestone. The goal marked an important step in his transition from promising prospect to established NHL contributor within the Devils organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Halonen plays a direct, goal-scoring style, using his 6-foot frame to win battles along the walls and get to the net. He has shown a particular knack for producing on the power play, evidenced by his team-leading nine power-play goals with the Comets, and he brings a quick, accurate release that suits tight-angle opportunities at the NHL level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights of Halonen’s career include becoming the 68th player in Michigan Tech history to reach 100 points, his Hobey Baker Award finalist recognition, and scoring his first NHL goal against the Los Angeles Kings on November 1, 2025. His ejection from the 2022 NCAA regional semifinal against Minnesota Duluth closed his collegiate career on a difficult note but did not diminish his standing as one of the Huskies’ all-time productive forwards.
Brian Halonen Career Wins
Brian Halonen has built his reputation primarily as a goal scorer rather than a winner of major trophies. His career achievements are reflected in statistical milestones, team records, and individual awards earned along the way.
Collegiate Highlights
During his four seasons at Michigan Tech, Halonen accumulated more than 100 career points, a milestone reached on February 11, 2022. He earned All-WCHA Rookie Team honors, the Norbert Matovich Memorial Outstanding Freshman Award, All-CCHA First Team selection, and AHCA West Second Team All-American recognition. His senior-year totals also placed him among the national leaders in game-winning goals during his junior campaign.
Professional Highlights
In the professional ranks, Halonen’s first AHL goal came on April 2, 2022, in his second career game. He later scored his first NHL goal on November 1, 2025, against the Los Angeles Kings, completing a short-angled shot for a memorable milestone. His 20-goal AHL season with the Utica Comets in 2023–24 also stood out as a key professional breakthrough.
Brian Halonen Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Halonen comes from a large family with 10 siblings, including an older sister and older brother, three younger sisters, and five younger brothers. He is the cousin of professional ice hockey player Blake Pietila, extending the family’s presence in the sport across multiple generations and competitive levels.
Personal Life
Beyond his family ties, Halonen’s pre-college hockey experience included playing at Delano High School in Minnesota, where he developed alongside current NHL player Ben Meyers of the Seattle Kraken. His upbringing in Minnesota and his close family connections to hockey remain central parts of his personal story as he continues his professional career with the New Jersey Devils.
2025 Season Performance
Halonen entered the 2025 season aiming to establish himself as a full-time contributor with the New Jersey Devils after splitting time between the NHL and AHL the previous year. His recall during the 2023–24 campaign and his subsequent two-year contract extension positioned him as a depth forward with offensive upside within the organization.
The highlight of his season came on November 1, 2025, when he scored his first career NHL goal against the Los Angeles Kings, finishing a short-angled shot to record the milestone. The goal provided a significant confidence boost and signaled his readiness to contribute offensively at the top level.
Looking ahead, Halonen is expected to continue competing for a regular role on the Devils’ roster while remaining a key call-up option for the Utica Comets. His combination of scoring touch, power-play ability, and familiarity with the organization should give him opportunities to expand his role within New Jersey’s forward group.