:''Another Jeff Brown was drafted in the first round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft but never played in the NHL. See
Jeff Brown (ice hockey, born 1978)''.
Jeff Randall Brown (born April 30, 1966) is a
Canadian
Canadians () are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of their being ''C ...
former professional
ice hockey
Ice hockey (or simply hockey in North America) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an Ice rink, ice skating rink with Ice hockey rink, lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. Tw ...
defenceman
Defence or defense (in American English) in ice hockey is a player position that is primarily responsible for preventing the opposing team from Goal (ice hockey), scoring. They are often referred to as defencemen, D, D-men or blueliners (the l ...
who played in the
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...
(NHL) from the mid-1980s to late 1990s. He was selected to play in the
1992 NHL All-Star Game and still holds many offensive records for the
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
.
Playing career
Junior hockey
Brown joined the
Sudbury Wolves
The Sudbury Wolves are an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) ice hockey team based in Greater Sudbury, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
Sudbury has had various hockey teams competing at the Junior ice hockey, junior and senior ice hockey levels of the game k ...
of the
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League (OHL; ) is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League, alongside the Western Hockey League and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. The league is for players ag ...
(OHL) when he was selected in the first round, second overall, in the 1982 OHL Priority Draft. In his first season with Sudbury in
1982–83, Brown appeared in 65 games, scoring nine goals and 46 points, leading the Wolves defense in scoring, and finishing fifth in overall team scoring. However, the rebuilding club failed to qualify for the post-season. In
1983–84, Brown saw a big increase in his offensive numbers, as he scored 17 goals and 77 points in 68 games, finishing second in team scoring. However, the club failed to qualify for the post-season. Brown led the Wolves in scoring during the
1984–85 season with 64 points, scoring 16 goals and 48 assists in 56 games. Sudbury missed the playoffs once again. In
1985–86, Brown missed 21 games, but he scored 22 goals, a career high in the OHL, and had 50 points, helping Sudbury reach the playoffs for the first and only time in his junior career. In four playoff games, Brown had two assists, as the Wolves were swept by the
Guelph Platers
The Guelph Platers were a junior ice hockey team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The team played in the Ontario Hockey League, Ontario Junior Hockey League, and Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League. They were originally known as the CMC's un ...
in the first round. Brown was awarded the
Max Kaminsky Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding defenseman in the OHL, and was named to the OHL First All-Star team.
Professional career
Quebec Nordiques
Brown was drafted by the
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques (, pronounced in Quebec French, in Canadian English; translated "Northmen" or "Northerners") were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association (1972–1979) an ...
in the second round, 36th overall, at the
1984 NHL Entry Draft held at the
Montreal Forum
Montreal Forum () is a historic building located facing Cabot Square, Montreal, Cabot Square in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Called "the most storied building in hockey history" by ''Sporting News'', it was an indoor arena which served as the home o ...
. Brown saw limited action with the Nordiques during the
1985–86 season, appearing in eight games, scoring three goals and five points. In one playoff game, Brown was held off the scoresheet. Brown also appeared in one post-season game with the Nordiques
AHL affiliate, the
Fredericton Express
The Fredericton Express were a professional ice hockey team based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. They played in the American Hockey League between 1981 and 1988. The Express were affiliated with the Quebec Nordiques and Vancouver Canucks of ...
, getting no points.
He began the
1986–87 season with the Express, appearing in 26 games, scoring two goals and 16 points, before being promoted to Quebec. Brown finished the
1986–87 season with the Nordiques, scoring seven goals and 29 points in 44 games, providing the club with some much needed offense. In 11 playoff games, Brown scored three goals and six points in 13 games, as the Nordiques lost to their provincial rivals, the
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...
in seven games in the
Adams Division
The National Hockey League's Adams Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honour of Charles Francis Adams, the founder of the Boston Bruins. It is th ...
final. Brown spent the entire
1987–88 season with the Nordiques, appearing in 78 games, scoring 16 goals and 53 points, the most among Nordiques defensemen, and fifth on the team; however, the club failed to reach the post-season.
In
1988–89, Brown continued to put up very high offensive numbers, scoring 21 goals and 68 points in 78 games, again leading Nordiques defensemen in scoring, and had the third highest total on the club. The rebuilding Nordiques, however, missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Brown began the
1989–90 season with Quebec, as in 29 games, he scored six goals and 16 points. On December 13, 1989, the Nordiques traded Brown to the
St. Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...
for
Tony Hrkac and
Greg Millen.
St. Louis Blues
Brown finished the 1989-90 season with the St. Louis Blues, as he continued to put up very solid offensive numbers, scoring 10 goals and 38 points in 48 games, helping the Blues reach the post-season. In the playoffs, Brown scored two goals and 12 points in 12 games, as the Blues lost to the
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...
in seven games in the
Norris Division
The National Hockey League's Norris Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. When the NHL realigned into geographic divisions in 1981, the division moved to the Clarence Campbell Conference, where it comprised the ...
final. In
1990–91, Brown led the Blues defense in scoring, as he had 12 goals and 59 points in 67 games, as he missed nearly a month of the season due to broken left ankle, and was third in overall team scoring, only behind
Brett Hull
Brett Andrew Hull (born August 9, 1964) is a Canadians, Canadian–Americans, American former ice hockey player and general manager, and currently an executive vice president of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played f ...
and
Adam Oates, as the Blues finished with the second best record in the league, getting 105 points. In the playoffs, Brown continued to be very productive, scoring three goals and 12 points in 13 games, but the Blues were upset by the
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, and the team's colors for ...
in the Norris Division final, losing in six games.
Brown scored at least 20 goals for the second time of his career in
1991–92, as in 80 games, he had 20 goals and 59 points, again leading the Blues defense in scoring, and tied for fourth for team scoring, as St. Louis reached the post-season once again. The 20 goals tied
Larry Sacharuk's team record. In the playoffs, Brown had two goals and three points in six games, as the Blues lost to the
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...
in the first round of the playoffs. In
1992–93, Brown had the best season of his career, setting a career high with 25 goals and 78 points in 71 games, leading the Blues defense in scoring again, and fourth on the team, despite missing 13 games due to a broken foot. The 25 goals establish a new single-season team record for defencemen that still holds. In the playoffs, Brown had three goals and 11 points in 11 games, tied for second in overall team scoring, as the club swept the heavily favoured Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the playoffs, before losing to the
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...
in seven games in the Norris Division final.
Brown began the
1993–94 season with St. Louis, appearing in 68 games, scoring 13 goals and 60 points, leading the defense in scoring for the fourth straight season. On March 21, 1994, the Blues traded Brown,
Bret Hedican and
Nathan LaFayette to the
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...
for
Craig Janney.
Vancouver Canucks
Brown finished 1993–94 with the Canucks after his late season trade, appearing in 11 games with the team, scoring a goal and six points. In the playoffs, Brown had a memorable performance, as he scored six goals and 15 points in 24 games, leading the Canucks defense in scoring, as Vancouver lost to the
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...
in seven games in the
1994 Stanley Cup Finals.
In the lockout shortened
1994–95 season, Brown appeared in 33 games with Vancouver, scoring eight goals and 31 points, finishing fourth in overall team scoring, despite missing 15 games due to a cracked bone in his wrist after being slashed by
Kris Draper of the
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...
, and a separated shoulder late in the season. Brown appeared in only five of eleven playoff games for Vancouver due to a thigh injury, scoring a goal and four points, as the Canucks were swept by the Blackhawks in the second round of the playoffs. Brown started the
1995–96 season with Vancouver, appearing in 28 games, as he scored only one goal, and 17 points. On December 19, 1995, the Canucks traded Brown and their third round draft pick in the
1998 NHL Entry Draft to the
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its 25-year existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1 ...
for
Jim Dowd,
Frantisek Kucera and the Whalers second round pick in the
1997 NHL Entry Draft.
Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes
Brown finished the 1995–96 season with the Hartford Whalers, appearing in 48 games, scoring seven goals and 38 points to lead the team defense in scoring, but the Whalers failed to reach the post-season. During the season opener of the
1996–97 season against the
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...
, Brown suffered from a back injury, which required season-ending disc fusion surgery, causing him to miss the entire season. In his only game, he was held off the scoresheet.
During the summer of 1997, the Whalers franchise relocated and became the
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...
for the
1997–98 season. In 32 games with the Hurricanes, Brown struggled offensively, scoring three goals and 13 points. On December 20, 1997, Brown suffered a deep gash in his shin from a
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...
players skate, resulting the injury be stitched up, as Brown was able to return to action. On January 2, 1998, the Hurricanes traded Brown to the Toronto Maple Leafs for the Maple Leafs fourth round draft pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. This trade was made the day before
Kirk McLean was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks. (Brown's son
Logan, later to become a first-round pick in the
2016 NHL Entry Draft, was born in
Raleigh
Raleigh ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, second-most populous city in the state (after Charlotte, North Carolina, Charlotte) ...
two months later as Brown's family stayed behind following the mid-season trade.)
Toronto Maple Leafs
After playing three games with the Toronto Maple Leafs following his trade from the Carolina Hurricanes, the shin injury that Brown suffered while playing with the Hurricanes was not healing very well, and Brown began experiencing severe chills and became very ill. He asked Toronto trainers if he could go home, but trainers
Chris Broadhurst and
Brent Smith spotted something wrong with the scar on his leg. Its inflammation appeared to be spreading to other parts of the body. Broadhurst and Smith insisted that Brown see a doctor, but by the time he got there, he was already in shock. Unsure what was wrong, the trainers then rushed him to the hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery. They found a potentially deadly virus related to the flesh-eating bacteria, had entered the infected area of Brown's leg. The surgery saved Brown's life, and he returned to action for Toronto's February 4, 1998, game against the St. Louis Blues. Brown would appear in 19 games with the Maple Leafs during the 1997–98 season, scoring a goal and nine points. His time in Toronto would be short, as the Leafs traded Brown to the Washington Capitals for
Sylvain Cote on March 24, 1998.
Washington Capitals
Brown finished the 1997–98 season with the Capitals, earning six assists in nine games with the club, as Washington reached the playoffs. In the post-season, Brown was limited to two games due to headaches, as he earned two assists. The Capitals reached the
1998 Stanley Cup Finals, losing to the
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...
.
After the season, Brown became a free agent but retired from playing after he was unable to find a new team to sign with.
Coaching career
Missouri River Otters
Brown coached the
Missouri River Otters of the
United Hockey League
The United Hockey League (UHL), originally known as the Colonial Hockey League from 1991 to 1997 and last known as the International Hockey League from 2007 to 2010, was a low-level minor professional ice hockey league, with teams in the Unite ...
(UHL) during the 2005–06 season, replacing head coach
Kevin Kaminski, who was fired after the team began the season with an 11-27-3 record. Under Brown, the River Otters improved, going 13-18-4; however, the club failed to make the playoffs. After the season, the River Otters folded.
St. Louis Bandits
Brown began coaching the
St. Louis Bandits of the
North American Hockey League
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is in its 50th season of operation in 2024–25. It is the only Tier II junior league sanctioned by USA Hockey, and acts as an alternati ...
(NAHL). In his first season with the club in 2008–09, the Bandits had a record of 42-9-7, winning the South Division. In the playoffs, the Bandits won the Robertson Cup, defeating the
Wenatchee Wild in the final game. It was the third consecutive season that St. Louis won the championship. In 2009–10, the Bandits finished second in the South Division, going 44-11-3, however, the club struggled in the playoffs, and failed to win the championship, as the club finished in fifth in the Nationals.
The Bandits had another very successful regular season in 2010–11, going 41-13-4, and winning the North Division. In the post-season, the Bandits lost to the
Michigan Warriors in the second round, losing in the fifth and deciding game. St. Louis had another elite regular season in 2011–12, going 42-15-3, and winning the Midwest Division. In the playoffs, the Bandits lost to the
Texas Tornados in the championship game, losing 4-3 in overtime.
Due to lack of attendance, the club became dormant, and in 2013, the franchise was sold to the ownership of the
Minnesota Wilderness.
Indiana Ice
Brown took over as head coach of the
Indiana Ice
The Indiana Ice was a Tier I junior ice hockey team and member club of the United States Hockey League (USHL) that was formed in 2004 when the Danville Wings were purchased and moved from their location in Danville, Illinois, to Indianapolis, ...
of the
United States Hockey League
The United States Hockey League (USHL) is the top junior ice hockey league sanctioned by USA Hockey. The league consists of 16 active teams located in the Midwestern United States and Great Plains, for players between the ages of 16 and 21. Th ...
(USHL) for the last part of the
2012–13 season, however, the Ice failed to qualify for the post-season, as the club finished with a 21-37-7 record. In
2013–14, Brown led the Ice to a 42-11-7 record, first place in the Eastern Conference. In the post-season, the Ice won the
Clark Cup
The United States Hockey League began in 1961 as a semi-professional ice hockey league. Starting with the 1979–80 season, the league became a strictly Amateur league, and began awarding its champion the Clark Cup Trophy. All champions of the USH ...
, defeating the
Waterloo Black Hawks
The Waterloo Black Hawks are a Tier I junior ice hockey team playing in the Western Conference of the United States Hockey League (USHL) under Head Coach Matt Smaby. The Black Hawks' home ice is the Young Arena in Waterloo, Iowa.
History
...
in five games to claim the championship.
Ottawa 67's
Brown became the eighth head coach in
Ottawa 67's
The Ottawa 67's are a major junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, that plays in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Established during Canada's centennial year of 1967 and named in honour of this, the 67's currently play thei ...
history, for the
2014–15 season, taking over a rebuilding club that had missed the playoffs the previous two seasons. In his first season with the 67's, Brown led the team back into the post-season, with a 38-25-5 record, earning him the OHL's third All-Star team coach. In the post-season, the 67's lost to the
Niagara IceDogs in the first round, losing in six games.
In the summer of 2015 Brown became both head coach and general manager, replacing Pat Higgins, who became the team's head scout. On April 25, 2017, Brown announced his resignation from the 67's as the team's head coach and general manager, for personal reasons.
Personal
He is married to Laina and they have three children together, Jenna-Rose, Logan, and Caden. Logan also plays hockey and was drafted 11th overall by the
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...
in the
2016 NHL Draft.
Career statistics
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brown, Jeff
1966 births
Living people
Canadian ice hockey defencemen
Carolina Hurricanes players
Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States
Fredericton Express players
Hartford Whalers players
National Hockey League All-Stars
Ice hockey people from Ottawa
Quebec Nordiques draft picks
Quebec Nordiques players
20th-century Canadian sportsmen
St. Louis Blues players
Sudbury Wolves players
Toronto Maple Leafs players
Vancouver Canucks players
Washington Capitals players