Peter Koutroumpis – editor@trianglesportsnet.com
RALEIGH, N.C. – Patrick Brown has made significant strides during this week’s Carolina Hurricanes Prospect Development camp.
Brown came to Raleigh after having signed a two-year entry level contract (ELC) with the Hurricanes back on Apr. 12, 2014, and has showed a mature hockey IQ throughout all five days of camp held at PNC Arena.
His performance didn’t go unnoticed by Charlotte Checkers head coach Jeff Daniels, who has been at camp throughout the week, and talked about Brown’s as well as defenseman Dennis Robertson’s showing on Friday.
“Right away these are leadership types of guys,” Daniels said.
“It was that way today as he (Brown) was the first in line – he’s goin’ hard both on and off the ice. They’re a little older, so with that little bit of experience, that mentality is good to see.”
Following a 2013-2014 season with Boston College during which he was team captain, Brown posted 30 points (15g, 15a) in 40 games to finish his four years in Beantown.
Playing most of his collegiate career as a checking forward, it was during his final season that he was given the green light to put the puck on net more and pushed up his final career stats to 21 goals and 22 assists (43 points) in 120 games playing for a Hockey East squad that won the 2012 NCAA championship.
“My previous three years I wasn’t really called on to put up as many points; I was more of a defensive forward,” Brown said.
“This (past) year I was given a lot of opportunities to play with some unbelievable players and some power play time and a lot of penalty kill time, and I think with my confidence, points came along.”
With a solid six-foot-one-inch, 207-pound body, the 22-year-old, versatile center has the hands to make plays and score goals while playing effectively off the puck in all areas of the ice.
“I still play a shutdown game, but I can put the puck in the net too,” Brown continued.
“I’m a hard-nosed, gritty, power forward. I block shots, play hard defense. All the things that some guys may not be as willing to do, I love doing all that stuff.”
As Carolina’s camp will conclude on Saturday with a structured scrimmage, expect to see Brown as one player who will be all over the ice trying to create opportunities for his side to be the winning one.
“Whatever gets my team fired up,” Brown said.
“Whether that’s eatin’ the puck, blockin’ shots, takin’ a hit to make a play, getting’ to the blue paint, gettin’ scrappy goals. That’s what I love to do.”