Brenden Dillon’s Family: Wife, Children, Parents, and Siblings

Last Updated on November 10, 2026 by Carmen Marins

Brenden Dillon is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenseman for the New Jersey Devils in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on November 13, 1990, in British Columbia, Canada, he grew up in Surrey in a close-knit family with Portuguese roots.

Dillon is married to Emma Dillon, formerly Emma Wittchow, a former college ice hockey player. The couple has two daughters, Elton and Elowen. His parents are Edward and Deborah Dillon, while his younger sister, Kirsten Dillon, previously played university volleyball.

Throughout his NHL career, Dillon has frequently acknowledged the importance of his family, particularly the support he received from his parents and the encouragement of his wife and children.

Brenden Dillon’s Girlfriend or Wife: Who Is Emma Dillon?

Brenden Dillon is married to Emma Dillon, whose maiden name is Emma Wittchow. Before their marriage, Emma was his longtime girlfriend and fiancée.

Emma is a former American college ice hockey player who competed for Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Born on January 15, 1996, in Burnsville, Minnesota, she grew up in a family with strong connections to competitive sports.

According to Minnesota State University’s official athletics biography, Emma played defense for the university’s women’s hockey team from 2014 to 2018.

During her college career, she received academic recognition, including WCHA All-Academic honors.

She studied sports broadcasting and previously participated in hockey and lacrosse at Burnsville High School.

Emma’s family includes her parents, Steve and Tina Wittchow, and three brothers named Eddie, Eric, and Evan.

Her brother Eddie also pursued a hockey career, playing college hockey at the University of Wisconsin before receiving professional opportunities.

How Did Brenden Dillon Meet Emma Wittchow?

Brenden Dillon and Emma Wittchow first met during an unusual encounter involving their respective hockey teams.

In a December 2025 feature published by the New Jersey Devils, Emma recalled meeting Brenden while she was a freshman at Minnesota State University.

Her college team had traveled to St. Louis for an out-of-conference game.

Through connections involving former NHL forward David Backes, Emma and her teammates were invited to watch the St. Louis Blues participate in a morning skate.

Afterward, they stayed to watch the San Jose Sharks practice.

When the teams prepared to leave, Emma encountered Brenden because their buses were parked beside each other.

The two briefly spoke, and Dillon subsequently added her on Facebook.

However, they did not immediately begin dating.

According to Emma, Brenden was involved in another relationship at the time and did not contact her romantically until he was single.

Their relationship eventually developed, and they remained together while Dillon continued his professional hockey career.

When Did Brenden Dillon Get Engaged?

Brenden Dillon and Emma Wittchow announced their engagement in August 2019.

At the time, Dillon was playing for the San Jose Sharks.

The Washington Capitals subsequently confirmed the engagement in a February 19, 2020, feature introducing Dillon following his trade from San Jose.

The couple originally planned to celebrate their wedding during the summer of 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted those plans.

When Did Brenden Dillon Marry Emma?

Brenden Dillon and Emma Wittchow married in early November 2020 during an intimate ceremony at Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Because of pandemic-related restrictions, the wedding took place without the larger gathering of relatives and friends they had originally planned.

The couple decided to organize another celebration when circumstances allowed.

In August 2023, Brenden and Emma held a larger wedding celebration in Aspen, Colorado.

According to The Hockey News, the event allowed the couple to celebrate their marriage with relatives, friends, and current and former NHL teammates.

The 2023 celebration was not the beginning of their legal marriage, which had already taken place in November 2020.

Brenden Dillon’s Children

Brenden Dillon and his wife, Emma, have two publicly confirmed children, both daughters. Their names are Elton Dillon and Elowen Dillon.

The children have appeared in New Jersey Devils family features and participated in celebrations marking their father’s professional achievements.

Daughter: Elton Dillon

Elton Dillon is one of Brenden and Emma Dillon’s two daughters.

In an October 9, 2024, interview with the New Jersey Devils, Brenden described Elton as his two-year-old daughter, placing her birth around 2022.

During the interview, he discussed watching Elton learn to communicate and develop her personality.

He explained that observing how children learn words and interact with other people had strengthened his own interest in communication.

The experience also influenced his approach to interacting with teammates from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Elton appeared alongside her parents and sister during Dillon’s 1,000th NHL game celebrations in December 2025.

The family joined him on the ice at Prudential Center, where the Devils honored his professional milestone.

Daughter: Elowen Dillon

Elowen Dillon is Brenden and Emma’s other daughter.

Her name was publicly confirmed in December 2025 when the New Jersey Devils published an extensive family feature celebrating her father’s 1,000th NHL game.

The article included comments from Emma about watching Brenden become a father to their two daughters.

Emma explained that seeing how gently and lovingly Brenden interacted with the children had deepened her appreciation for his personality.

Elowen also attended the December 2025 ceremony honoring her father.

The Devils presented the family with commemorative items, including miniature hockey sticks for Elton and Elowen.

Although Elowen’s identity is publicly documented, her exact date of birth has not been reliably established in official hockey publications.

How Fatherhood Has Influenced Brenden Dillon

Becoming a father has been an important development in Brenden Dillon’s personal life.

In a December 2025 interview with the New Jersey Devils, Emma explained that her husband had always been a compassionate and supportive person.

However, watching him raise their daughters revealed another side of his personality.

She described Brenden as a loving father who makes his daughters feel valued and protected.

His commitment to his children also became relevant during his recovery from a serious neck injury in 2025.

After undergoing artificial disc replacement surgery, Dillon emphasized the importance of recovering fully for both his hockey career and his family life.

The experience reinforced his responsibilities as a husband and father.

Brenden Dillon’s Parents

Brenden Dillon was raised by his parents, Edward and Deborah Dillon, in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

His father is also known as Ed Dillon, while his mother is commonly called Debbie.

Both parents supported Brenden and his younger sister, Kirsten, throughout their educational and athletic development.

In December 2025, the New Jersey Devils interviewed Edward and Deborah about their son’s journey to 1,000 NHL games.

Father: Edward Dillon

Brenden Dillon’s father is Edward Dillon, also known as Ed Dillon.

Edward was born in Portugal and immigrated to Canada with his family when he was approximately five years old.

According to Hockey Canada’s official 2013 World Championship media guide, Edward’s Portuguese background contributed to the family’s cultural identity.

In a November 2019 NHL Players’ Association interview, Brenden explained that Portuguese was spoken regularly by relatives during his childhood.

He grew up hearing the language from his father, paternal grandmother, and godmother.

Although Brenden does not consider himself completely fluent, he understands some Portuguese words and expressions.

Edward also encouraged his children to pursue education and sports.

He and Deborah initially hoped that their children would earn athletic scholarships to universities.

However, as Brenden’s hockey talent developed, his parents recognized that professional hockey could offer another opportunity.

How Edward Dillon Supported His Son’s Hockey Career

Edward played an important role in helping Brenden pursue hockey during childhood.

At first, Brenden was relatively small compared with other young players.

He relied heavily on skating and positioning rather than physical strength.

In December 2025, Edward recalled how his son initially struggled with the aggressive aspects of competitive hockey.

Brenden did not enjoy making opponents uncomfortable or using physical force during games.

His parents helped him understand that being physical on the ice did not mean he had to behave aggressively in everyday life.

As he grew older, Dillon developed into a physically imposing defenseman while maintaining his friendly personality away from hockey.

Edward continued following his son’s progress after he moved to the United States to play junior and professional hockey.

He also attended the ceremony celebrating Brenden’s 1,000th NHL game in December 2025.

Edward and Deborah expressed pride in seeing their son achieve a milestone they had never imagined during his childhood.

Mother: Deborah Dillon

Brenden Dillon’s mother is Deborah Dillon, commonly known as Debbie.

She played an important role in raising Brenden and Kirsten while encouraging them to pursue education and competitive sports.

Deborah initially hoped that both children would receive university scholarships through their athletic achievements.

In a December 2025 New Jersey Devils feature, she recalled that Brenden’s childhood ambition was simply to play one NHL game.

At the time, reaching 1,000 professional games seemed unimaginable.

Deborah also described her son’s personality during childhood.

She explained that he was naturally kind and protective, particularly toward his younger sister.

Although Brenden eventually became known for physical play and defending teammates, his mother emphasized that he remained gentle and compassionate away from the rink.

Her comments highlighted the importance of balancing competitive determination with respect for others.

Deborah continued supporting Brenden throughout his NHL career and participated in the December 2025 ceremony honoring his 1,000th game.

Her professional occupation has not been extensively documented in reliable public sources.

Brenden Dillon’s Siblings

Younger Sister: Kirsten Dillon

Brenden Dillon has one publicly confirmed sibling, his younger sister Kirsten Dillon.

Kirsten grew up in Surrey, British Columbia, and developed her own successful athletic career.

Unlike her older brother, who pursued ice hockey, Kirsten specialized in volleyball.

She played competitive volleyball during high school before joining York University in Toronto, Ontario.

According to York University’s official athletics biography, Kirsten played as a setter for the York Lions women’s volleyball team.

She studied kinesiology and health science while representing the university in competitive athletics.

During the 2015–16 season, she served as team captain and recorded 519 assists.

She also received recognition for her performances, including an Ontario University Athletics female athlete of the week honor.

Kirsten competed in volleyball from an early age and participated in provincial and national tournaments.

Her high school sporting activities also included basketball, swimming, badminton, soccer, and cross-country running.

These achievements reflected the Dillon family’s appreciation for athletic development.

Brenden Dillon’s Relationship With His Sister

Brenden and Kirsten maintained a close relationship while growing up in Surrey.

In a December 2025 feature, their parents described how Brenden regularly protected Kirsten during childhood.

He looked out for his younger sister and wanted to ensure that she felt safe and supported.

According to their parents, this protective behavior later became an important part of Brenden’s personality as a professional hockey player.

He developed a reputation for defending teammates and supporting people around him.

Although Kirsten has generally maintained a private life since completing her university volleyball career, her athletic achievements remain documented through York University’s official records.

Brenden Dillon’s Portuguese Family Heritage

Brenden Dillon has Portuguese ancestry through his father, Edward.

Edward was born in Portugal before immigrating to Canada during childhood.

Brenden grew up in a multicultural household where Portuguese traditions and family relationships were important.

In a 2019 interview with the NHL Players’ Association, Dillon discussed spending time with his paternal grandmother.

He recalled enjoying traditional Portuguese meals prepared by his grandmother and appreciating the generous portions she served.

He also explained that his paternal grandmother and godmother frequently spoke Portuguese.

Although he grew up primarily speaking English, Brenden developed an understanding of some Portuguese expressions.

His appreciation for different languages later extended to learning French and communicating with international teammates.

These experiences contributed to his interest in cultures and relationships beyond professional hockey.

Brenden Dillon’s Family Background and Childhood

Brenden Dillon was born on November 13, 1990, and raised in Surrey, British Columbia.

He grew up in an athletic household alongside his younger sister, Kirsten.

During childhood, he participated in several sports, including volleyball, basketball, soccer, and track and field.

He was particularly successful in athletics, earning recognition for his performances in sprinting and long jump during elementary school.

However, ice hockey eventually became his primary sporting interest.

At approximately 15 years old, Dillon was only about five feet two inches tall and struggled to attract attention from major junior hockey scouts.

He was not selected in the Western Hockey League’s Bantam Draft.

Despite that setback, he continued practicing and improving his skills.

He eventually joined the Hope Icebreakers before earning an opportunity with the Seattle Thunderbirds in the Western Hockey League.

During his four seasons with Seattle, Dillon developed into a reliable defenseman.

He was never selected in the NHL Entry Draft, but the Dallas Stars signed him as an undrafted free agent in March 2011.

He made his NHL debut in April 2012 and subsequently established himself as a regular NHL defenseman.

His professional career included the Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks, Washington Capitals, Winnipeg Jets, and New Jersey Devils.

In July 2024, Dillon signed a three-year contract with the Devils.

His career reached a major milestone on December 1, 2025, when he played his 1,000th regular-season NHL game.

Two days later, New Jersey honored his achievement during a ceremony at Prudential Center.

His wife, daughters, and parents joined him on the ice, celebrating the accomplishment together.

The occasion highlighted the importance of family support throughout his journey from an undrafted prospect to an experienced NHL defenseman.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brenden Dillon’s Family

Who is Brenden Dillon’s girlfriend?

Brenden Dillon is married to his longtime girlfriend, Emma Wittchow, now known as Emma Dillon. The couple announced their engagement in August 2019 and married in November 2020.

Who is Brenden Dillon’s wife?

His wife is Emma Dillon, a former Minnesota State University women’s ice hockey defenseman. They have two daughters together.

When did Brenden Dillon get married?

Brenden Dillon married Emma Wittchow in November 2020 at Stanley Park in Vancouver. They later held a larger wedding celebration in Aspen, Colorado, in August 2023.

How did Brenden Dillon meet his wife?

Brenden met Emma during a hockey trip to St. Louis while she was playing college hockey for Minnesota State University. Their teams’ buses were parked beside each other, leading to their first conversation.

Does Brenden Dillon have children?

Yes. Brenden Dillon and his wife, Emma, have two daughters named Elton and Elowen.

Who are Brenden Dillon’s daughters?

His daughters are Elton Dillon, who was approximately two years old in October 2024, and Elowen Dillon. Both participated in their father’s 1,000th NHL game celebration in December 2025.

Who are Brenden Dillon’s parents?

His parents are Edward Dillon and Deborah Dillon. They raised him in Surrey, British Columbia, and supported his hockey development throughout childhood.

Who is Brenden Dillon’s father?

His father is Edward Dillon, also known as Ed. He was born in Portugal and moved to Canada when he was approximately five years old.

Who is Brenden Dillon’s mother?

His mother is Deborah Dillon, commonly known as Debbie. She encouraged Brenden and his younger sister to pursue education and competitive sports.

Does Brenden Dillon have siblings?

Yes. Brenden Dillon has one publicly confirmed sibling, his younger sister Kirsten Dillon.

Who is Brenden Dillon’s sister?

His younger sister is Kirsten Dillon, a former York University volleyball player who competed as a setter and served as team captain.

Is Brenden Dillon Portuguese?

Brenden Dillon is Canadian by nationality but has Portuguese ancestry through his father, Edward. He grew up hearing Portuguese spoken by relatives and understands some of the language.

Where did Brenden Dillon grow up?

Brenden Dillon grew up in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, where he participated in several sports before concentrating on ice hockey.

What NHL team does Brenden Dillon play for?

Brenden Dillon plays for the New Jersey Devils. He joined the organization in July 2024 and celebrated his 1,000th NHL game in December 2025.