Patrick Brown has been recalled by the Carolina Hurricanes, robbing the Charlotte Checkers of their captain for the time being. Brown, just 25, was named captain last season during his third year with the AHL squad. Known for his leadership and work ethic more than anything else, Brown also wore the captain’s “C” at Boston College before signing with the Hurricanes as an undrafted free agent. That BC team had a ton of talented players including Johnny Gaudreau, Kevin Hayes and Michael Matheson (none of whom were freshmen), but it was Brown who was given the leadership role.
There is no doubt that Brown is a student of the game, and it started a long time ago when his father, Doug Brown, was playing in the NHL. The elder Brown spent 15 years in the league, playing mostly for Detroit and New Jersey and winning two Stanley Cups with the Red Wings. A veteran of 854 career regular season games, Doug Brown would send his son off to follow his footsteps at BC and then to the NHL. Patrick’s uncle Greg Brown also attended the school, captaining the Eagles himself before a short-lived NHL career. Greg is back there now as an associate coach, who also works with the USA Hockey World Junior program.
It’s not the younger Brown’s first time in the NHL, as he’s played 28 games there over the past few years. It is interesting however that he would be called up after Janne Kuokkanen was sent down recently. Apparently the Hurricanes have decided that Kuokkanen’s development is more important, and that Brown can act as a insurance policy while they head out on the road to face Colorado and Arizona. It’s a nice bonus for him, as he’ll get to cash NHL-level checks for the time being. Brown re-signed with the Hurricanes this summer for one-year on a two-way deal that earns the minimum of $650K at the NHL level.
The Canes can’t score and we bring this guy up? Bring Gauthier up and park his butt in front of the net on the power play.
Mike, is Patrick Brown really that bad or is it that he just isn’t experienced enough? Most players that are called up to the NHL have a considerable amount of talent. This is a serious question & is no way sarcastic. Thanks for the reply.
It’s not that he can’t play. He just doesn’t fit a need. The Hurricanes need a guy who can put the puck in the net…especially on the power play. There are guys scoring at the AHL level. Give them a shot!
Thanks for the information. We need more people commenting here to help with these type of questions. This is a great way to not only share our opinions but to share information with other hockey fans. Thanks again, Mike.
I’ll always comment on Canes related articles. Love these guys and we’re really building something here in Raleigh.
Carolina has been improving over the last several years. This is one team that seems to be doing this the right way. Too many teams sign veteran players to outrageous contracts that are also way too long. Me, I am a die-hard Red Wings fan who hopes that both Holland & Blashill are terminated very soon. Both are incompetent & are destroying a great franchise. This is why I envy a team like Carolina & how they do things. Again, thanks for the information & keep sharing your opinions about the great sport of hockey.