NY Hockey OnLine
Home Grown / Page 11
er brother did. “I have to give a lot of credit to my parents who got me involved and then took me travelling all over when we had games and practices. Probably the one coach who really helped me out a lot and was involved with my hockey career up through Bantam was Tom Veneterin. “I still stay in touch with him today.” Brown still gets back to his hometown as often as possible. “I have a house there and I get back there for about six to eight weeks during the summer.” Was it much of a decision for Brown to make to choose between going the route of the junior ranks or college? “I really didn’t even know about the Ontario Hockey League until I was about 15,” stated
Brown. “The decision came down to going to Guelph or waiting three years and going through the college ranks. “I felt comfortable with the junior offer. I know that it is different for everyone. “I felt it was the right decision for me.” Brown will admit that a year can make a big difference in a player’s career. It certainly did with his. “I remember the Select Festival when I was 15,” said Brown. “I got cut from the New York team. “At 16 I not only made the New York team but I made the National Team as well. I got invited to the American National program in Ann Arbor. But I had already committed to Guelph. “It was amazing that in one year I went from not being able to make the 20 man roster with New York to making the 20 man roster nationally.” Brown was also played other sports than hockey. “I have kids of my own now and I think it’s important that they play more than just hockey,” commented Brown. “Hockey was my favorite. “But I also played lacrosse and baseball. To just play one sport is not good.” In 2011 Brown received the NHL Foundation Player Award for his extensive charity work in the Los Angeles area. “I think it was a combination of how I was brought up and trying to make an impact on where you live,” concluded Brown. “I try to do small scale things so you can see the immediate benefits. “I’m not the kind of guy who just wants to write a check out and not know where it goes. I like to be a hands-on guy who can see the benefits right away. “I just want to make a difference.”
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