Brett Pesce will face the Carolina Hurricanes for the first time since signing a six-year contract with the New Jersey Devils.

Every player has these games circled on their calendars. 

The games that carry personal meaning and are a little bit more emotional than the others on the schedule. 

For New Jersey Devils defenseman Brett Pesce, one of those games will take place Thursday night when he plays against his former team, the Carolina Hurricanes, for the first time.  

"Definitely adds a little motivation, for sure," Pesce said Wednesday. "Obviously, (I) never done it before. The first period might be a little weird. I got a lot of good friends on that team, but at the end of the day, we need a win. They are a good team, and they are in our division. We need the two points."

Devils' defenseman Brenden Dillon, who is no stranger to playing his former teams, shared that the first period is the most challenging.  

"The first period usually is a little tough," he said. "Your first couple of battles, but after that, it is just another game." 

Pesce played his first 627 games and nine seasons of his NHL career with the Hurricanes. 

"It was tough," Pesce said of leaving Carolina. "Very tough decision for my family and my wife and I. But ultimately, I had a great run there, so many good memories."

The defenseman was sidelined for the first couple of weeks of the season and did not make his Devils debut until Oct. 24. He has appeared in 12 of the Devils' 21 games.  

Pesce missed one of the team's practices this week, taking a maintenance day. According to head coach Sheldon Keefe, "he is still kind of working his way through some things." 

Against Carolina, he will again be paired with Luke Hughes. Puck drop between the Devils and Hurricanes is 7:00 P.M., EST. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes

EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With MSG Networks Host & Analyst Rachel Herzog

Hischier’s Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He’s Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied'

Seamus Casey Scores First NHL Goal In Devils Global Series Finale