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Connor Brown (ice hockey)

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Canadian ice hockey player (born 1994)

Ice hockey player
Connor Brown
Brown with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2017
Born (1994-01-14) January 14, 1994 (age 30)
Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 184 lb (83 kg; 13 st 2 lb)
Position Right wing
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams		 Edmonton Oilers
Toronto Maple Leafs
Ottawa Senators
Washington Capitals
National team  Canada
NHL draft 156th overall, 2012
Toronto Maple Leafs
Playing career 2014–present

Connor Brown (born January 14, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Brown was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the sixth round, 156th overall, of the 2012 NHL entry draft. Brown played for the Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) from 2011 until 2014, then for the American Hockey League (AHL)'s Toronto Marlies for the better part of two seasons before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs full-time in the 2016–17 season. He played for two more years with Toronto before he was traded to the Ottawa Senators in 2019. Brown spent three seasons with the Senators where he was an alternate captain. He was traded to the Washington Capitals heading into the 2022–23 NHL season.

Playing career

Amateur

Connor Brown played for the Erie Otters for his major junior career

Brown grew up playing youth hockey in the Toronto area. He played first for the West Mall Lightning mite select team, in the North York Hockey League, where his father was the head coach. The Lightning team later morphed in the Greater Toronto Hockey League Toronto Marlboros team for players born in 1994. The core of the team won ten-straight city championships and included seven players who would go on to be selected by National Hockey League (NHL) teams at the 2012 NHL entry draft: Brown, Scott Laughton, Matt Finn, Adam Pelech, Scott Kosmachuk, Jake Paterson and Matia Marcantuoni. Brown was selected in the 13th round, 251st overall, by the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)'s Erie Otters in the 2010 OHL Priority Draft. He spent the 2010–11 season playing Junior "A" hockey for the St. Michael's Buzzers in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), appearing in 49 games, scoring 17 goals, 22 assists and 39 points.

Brown joined the Otters for the 2011–12 season and led the team in points (53), goals (25) and assists (28), and was named to the OHL's All-Rookie Team. However, he recorded a plus-minus of –72. The plus-minus was primarily a result of an Otters team that finished last in the OHL, resulting in the franchise drafting first overall in the OHL draft and selecting future NHL star Connor McDavid. Brown returned to the Otters for the 2012–13 season, serving as the captain of the team. He scored 28 goals, 41 assists and 69 points in 68 games that season for the team, again leading the team in scoring and his plus-minus improved to –11.

Brown spent the 2013–14 season on a line with Connor McDavid, scoring 45 goals and 83 assists for 128 points in 68 games. He went on to score 8 goals and 10 assists in 14 games during the playoffs to cap off what was the best season in the team's history. Brown was awarded both the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy as the OHL's top scoring right winger, and the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as the top scoring player, and the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL's outstanding player. At the time of his departure, he held the Otters franchise record for most points in a single season; his record has since been passed by former line-mate Dylan Strome, who surpassed it by one point the following season.

Professional

Connor Brown (top) defends against Marcus Johansson (foreground) of the Washington Capitals during the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs

Toronto Maple Leafs

Brown entered the 2012 NHL entry draft and was selected in the sixth round, 156th overall, by his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. Brown's offensive talent lead the Maple Leafs to select him, but his small stature and historically bad plus-minus caused the pick to be called a "gamble". On November 22, 2013, Brown signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs. In his first year with the Maple Leafs' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, he was voted onto the AHL's All-Star Game starting roster as the team's only representative. He won the AHL rookie scoring title, finishing the regular season with 21 goals and 40 assists in 76 games. The Marlies made the 2015 Calder Cup playoffs and in five games, Brown scored one goal and five points. The Marlies were eliminated in the first round by the Grand Rapids Griffins, despite winning the first two games. For his efforts, he was named the AHL's Rookie of the Year, and their All-Rookie Team.

Brown almost made the Maple Leafs' NHL roster out of training camp for the 2015–16 season, but was assigned to the AHL to further his development. In the eighth game of the season on October 30, Brown broke his ankle blocking a shot and missed 34 games before returning to the Marlies' lineup in January 2016. He appeared in 34 games with the Marlies, scoring 11 goals and 29 points. He would be called up to the Maple Leafs late in the season as part of an initiative by the team to give AHL rookies some late season experience. Brown made his NHL debut on March 17, against the Florida Panthers, and scored his first NHL goal on March 24 against future teammate, goaltender Frederik Andersen of the Anaheim Ducks. On March 29 he registered three assists in a game versus the Florida Panthers, setting up goals by Nazem Kadri and Michael Grabner. He made seven appearances with Toronto, scoring the one goal and adding six assists for seven points. He was returned to the Marlies for their 2016 Calder Cup playoffs run, appearing in 15 playoff games and scoring seven goals and nine points. The Marlies made it to the AHL's conference finals, but were eliminated in five games by the Hershey Bears.

Brown made the Maple Leafs full-time for the 2016–17 season. However, a deep presence of forward depth meant Brown was playing on the fourth line with Matt Martin, though he saw time on the penalty kill. After five games in a limited role, Maple Leafs veteran forward Milan Michálek was placed on waivers in order to make room and give Brown a larger role on the team. Former Maple Leaf Ben Smith rejoined the team via waivers in order to take Brown's former spot. Brown played the rest of the year mostly on a line with Nazem Kadri and Leo Komarov, collecting 20 goals and compiling 36 points. The Maple Leafs made the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs and Brown made his playoff debut on April 16, 2017 in the Game 1 loss to the Washington Capitals in the opening round. He registered his first playoff point assisting on Auston Matthews' third period goal in a 5–4 loss to the Capitals on April 19. The Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Capitals in six games. He appeared in all six games with just the one point.

On August 26, 2017, as a restricted free agent, Brown signed a new three-year, $6.3 million contract with Toronto worth $2.1 million annually. In the following 2017–18 season, he played in all 82 games, scoring 14 goals and 28 points. Toronto made the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs and in the first round, faced the Boston Bruins. Playing on a line with Auston Matthews and William Nylander, he scored his first NHL playoff goal beating Tukka Rask in a 4–3 victory in Game 5 of the series on April 22, 2018. The Bruins eliminated the Maple Leafs in seven games. He played in all seven games, scoring one goal and three points. During the 2018–19 season, Brown scored 8 goals and 29 points in 82 games. He marked his second career three-assist game on December 18, setting up goals by Morgan Rielly and Tyler Ennis. Toronto again faced Boston in the first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Bruins eliminated the Maple Leafs again in seven games. Brown had just one assist in the seven games.

Ottawa Senators

On July 1, 2019, Brown was traded (along with Nikita Zaitsev and Michael Carcone) to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Cody Ceci, Ben Harpur, Aaron Luchuk and a third-round pick in the 2020 NHL entry draft. In Ottawa, Brown saw an expanded role after falling down the depth chart in Toronto. He made his debut for the Senators on opening day of the 2019–20 season versus Toronto and assisted on Brady Tkachuk's goal in the first period. He scored his first goal for Ottawa against Aaron Dell in a 5–2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on October 27 and also assisted on Nick Paul's second goal of the game. He finished the season second on the team in scoring, with 16 goals and 43 points in 71 games. The NHL suspended the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 12, 2020 and since the Senators were a rebuilding team with a losing record, were not invited to the qualifying round for the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs.

On October 22, Brown re-signed as a restricted free agent with the Senators, for three years at an average annual value of $3.6 million. During the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, he finished the season with 21 goals and 35 points in 56 games. Brown set the Senators franchise record that season for consecutive games with a goal with seven, set on April 10, 2021. On April 20, Brown scored two goals in a 4–2 win over the Calgary Flames. On May 8, Brown registered a three-point game, scoring one goal and assisting on two of Tim Stützle's three goals in a 4–2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. The Senators failed to make the playoffs. During the 2021–22 season, Brown scored only 10 goals and 39 points in 64 games. He tied his career-high of three assists in a game on October 17, setting up goals by Nick Paul and both scored by Chris Tierney. The Senators missed the playoffs for the fifth straight season.

Washington Capitals

Following his third season with the Senators, Brown was traded on the opening day of free agency on July 13, 2022, to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a second-round draft pick in 2024. After only playing four games with the Capitals in the 2022–23 season, Brown suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury which required surgery. Capitals coach Peter Laviolette announced Brown would likely miss the rest of the year.

Edmonton Oilers

As an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of his contract with the Capitals and missing most of the previous season, Brown signed an incentive-laden one-year, $4 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers for the 2023–24 season on July 1, 2023. He made his Oilers debut on October 12 in an 8–1 loss by the Vancouver Canucks. He struggled to start the season, still recovering from the time off following the knee injury. He ended his personal 72-game goal drought scoring his first goal with the Oilers against Darcy Kuemper on March 13, 2024 in a 7–2 victory over the Capitals. On March 6, Adam Henrique was acquired by the Oilers and with Mattias Janmark, the three formed a great third line that was a key to the Oilers playoff success. He finished the season with four goals and 12 points in 71 games. The Oilers made the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs and advanced to the Stanley Cup finals against the Florida Panthers. The penalty kill unit, which Brown was a part of, finished with the playoffs with a 98.6% success rate. The Oilers were ultimately defeated in seven games by the Panthers and Brown appeared in 19 playoff games for Edmonton, scoring two goals and six points. Brown was re-signed to a one-year, $1 million contract with the Oilers for the 2024–25 season on July 1, 2024.

International play

Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2021 Latvia

Brown was selected to play for Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Championship. Canada lost its first two games, but after Andrew Mangiapane joined the team and was placed on the first line with Brown and Henrique, the team's fortunes turned around. Brown assisted on all three Canadian goals in the championship game, including setting up Nick Paul to score the game winning goal in overtime to secure the gold medal in a 3–2 victory over Finland.

Personal life

Brown became engaged to his long-time girlfriend in January 2020. They married in August 2021. Brown and his wife have one child.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2009–10 Toronto Marlboros GTHL 80 25 44 69 16 — — — — —
2010–11 St. Michael's Buzzers OJHL 49 17 22 39 18 3 0 1 1 0
2011–12 Erie Otters OHL 68 25 28 53 14 — — — — —
2012–13 Erie Otters OHL 63 28 41 69 39 — — — — —
2013–14 Erie Otters OHL 68 45 83 128 22 14 8 10 18 8
2014–15 Toronto Marlies AHL 76 21 40 61 10 5 1 3 4 2
2015–16 Toronto Marlies AHL 34 11 18 29 8 15 7 2 9 6
2015–16 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 7 1 5 6 0 — — — — —
2016–17 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 82 20 16 36 10 6 0 1 1 0
2017–18 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 82 14 14 28 18 7 1 2 3 0
2018–19 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 82 8 21 29 16 7 0 1 1 2
2019–20 Ottawa Senators NHL 71 16 27 43 24 — — — — —
2020–21 Ottawa Senators NHL 56 21 14 35 12 — — — — —
2021–22 Ottawa Senators NHL 64 10 29 39 10 — — — — —
2022–23 Washington Capitals NHL 4 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2023–24 Edmonton Oilers NHL 71 4 8 12 10 19 2 4 6 6
NHL totals 519 94 134 228 100 39 3 8 11 8

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2021 Canada WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 10 2 14 16 2
Senior totals 10 2 14 16 2

Awards and honours

Award Year
OHL
First All-Rookie Team 2011–12
Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy – Top Scoring Right Winger 2013–14
Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy – Top Scorer 2013–14
Red Tilson Trophy – Most Outstanding Player 2013–14
First All-Star Team 2013–14
AHL
All-Star Game 2014–15
All-Rookie Team 2014–15
International
World Championship points leader 2021

References

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