Trottier, whose brother Bryan was part of the New York Islanders' dynasty of the early 1980s, was drafted by the then-unnamed New Jersey team with their first pick in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft; the former Colorado Rockies franchise had just relocated from Denver and had not yet announced a name.
He was one of two New Jersey first-round picks in that draft; the other, Ken Daneyko, went on to play for the Devils for twenty seasons.
Trottier made his NHL debut in 1983–84 season, appearing in five games and compiling one goal and one assist.
He began the 1984–85 season with the Maine Mariners, of the American Hockey League (AHL), before being recalled by New Jersey.
[1] This was the first penalty shot attempt and goal in the franchise history, coming against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Andy Moog.