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Connor Brown, C/RW |
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Shoots: R |
Height: 5-11 |
Weight: 170 |
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Born: 1994-01-14 |
Hometown: Etobicoke, ON |
Drafted: 2012 by Toronto Maple Leafs, 156th Overall |
Observations:
April 2016 – The semi-expected late season recall occurred and it was a rather impressive success. Brown not only potted his first NHL goal, but added five assists in his seven game stint. This might be a bit premature, but is seems that Brown has an open slot to jump in the Leafs line-up next season as top-9 right winger. He will need to have a strong camp amongst the likes of Mitch Marner, Zach Hyman, and possibly (yet to be drafted), but he has the most experience and seasoning of the group and has nothing else to show at the AHL level after posting 90 points in only 110 games. One of the rarely discussed facts of Brown’s game is his ability to play a complete game yet take very few penalties competing as tenaciously as he does for pucks. His body positioning and skating are qualities that give him the edge to not be put into situations that lead too minor hooks and holds. This may not be attractive to those that play in leagues that include PIMs as a category, but he should make up for it as a quality producer in most other notable statistics. Jason Banks
February 2016 – After a long injury of two and half months, Brown has returned to action in a big way. In his first quartet of games since returning, Brown potted four goals and added a pair of assists. He is full of excitement with the puck as a rather complete offensive weapon who can pass as strongly as he can drive a puck to the net. Brown plays the game above his size with powerful strides through the transition zone, along the boards and in front of the net. He could be recalled late season, but that will depend on how management feels his durability is after his interrupted sophomore season. Jason Banks
September 2015 – It is highly unlikely Brown breaks camp with the big club, but he is certainly in the mix for recalls. He had an excellent rookie season compiling 61 points, with seven of his 21 goals, game winners, he showed himself as a player that can grab a game and take control. Brown was recognized by the league by being named to the ‘All-Rookie Team’ as the rookie scoring leader. Brown will once again be relied upon to lead the Marlies’ scoring threat, but should have much better support and depth. The main drawback on Brown is his size, but he did come into camp notably stronger. Jason Banks
February 2015 – Brown has had a fantastic and exciting rookie season in the AHL that has seen him lead his team in scoring, be amongst the top 30 scorers in the league and 2nd best rookie and play in the league All-Star game. He is a strict offensive play for fantasy owners and shows little to no problems with the adjustment to pro hockey. He plays a very strong North-South game which is usually a feature of a power forward, but his size doesn’t make him a prototypical one. Along with the offensive side, he shows a sense of dependability with a positive rating that ranks amongst the top of a low level team. He was mildly sheltered when he entered pro, but that changed very quickly in October, and he is now found as a key member of the top line usually with Greg McKegg and Matt Frattin and seeing an abundance of powerplay time. The more I see and pick apart Brown, the more features to his game and positives I see and he is on a very positive correlation and picking up speed. Management has stated that they do not wish to recall him to the Leafs anytime soon, but I could see him recalled for a few games at season end. Jason Banks
May 2014 – After leading the OHL in points (128), Connor Brown was named to the OHL's 1st All-Star Team joining Scott Laughton, teammate Dane Fox, Aaron Ekblad, Slater Koekkoek and Alex Nedeljkovic. Look for Connor Brown to graduate from the OHL and take his emerging skill set to the AHL's Toronto Marlies where he will be challenged to continue producing at the professional ranks. Brendan Ross
May 2014 – The Ontario Hockey League announced Tuesday, May 6th that Erie Otters' third year forward, Connor Brown, was the recipient of the Red Tilson Trophy, making him the OHL's Most Outstanding Player of the Year for the 2013-14 season. The Otters' captain was voted as the top player by the leagues' broadcasters and writers after leading the OHL in regular season scoring with 45 goals and 128 points in 68 games. Brown managed to improve on his league worst minus-77 rating in his rookie season finishing with a plus-44 rating in his third campaign. His development has been impressive and with each passing shift, Brown continues to gain more confidence that his skill set requires to truly be effective. Brown also received the Eddie Powers Trophy as the OHL's leading scorer and led his Erie Otters to a franchise record 52 wins and 106 points. The AHL's Toronto Marlies have called Brown up for their post-season run. Brendan Ross
March 2014 – Erie Otters forward Connor Brown finished the 2013-14 OHL regular season as the league's top scorer scoring 45 goals and 128 points in 68 games. It was the first time that an Erie Otters' player has won the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy as the scoring champion. In addition, Brown was also awarded the Jim Mahon Memorial Trophy as the OHL's top scoring right winger. In the 2014 OHL Coaches Poll, Connor Brown received recognition in the following categories: Western Conference Smartest Player (3rd), Western Conference Best Penalty Killer (2nd) and Western Conference Best Shootout Shooter (1st). Brendan Ross
February 2014 – Toronto Maple Leafs’ prospect Connor Brownhas been nothing short of amazing this year in Erie and 13 tallies and 29 points in a dozen January games earns him OHL Player of the Month for January. Brown was the first OHL player to reach the 100-point marker this season and did so in just 48 games, setting a new points record for the Erie Otters’ franchise. Not too shabby for a 6th round selection in 2012. Brendan Ross
January 2014 – It only took Brown 48 games to hit the century mark in points this season as he not only leads the OHL in scoring, but also the entire CHL. Despite being on the same team as young stud Connor McDavid, the two have only combined on 31 goals. Brown certainly knows ‘what the Fox says’, as Dane Fox has been involved in 62 of his points. For the most part Brown has been streaky with his partners, McDavid the first couple months and now then Fox, while Brenden Gaunce has been added in January. While most of his points are at even strength, 44 have come with the man advantage. His numbers in the OHL will have him soaring high in fantasy drafts next season, but be aware, he is of below average size and will need to add bulk to his frame to survive when he turns pro next fall. Think about him more as a ‘trade value’ player (especially amongst Leaf fans or leagues based in Southern Ontario) than a production player for your team. Jason Banks
November 2013 – The Toronto Maple Leafs signed current OHL leading scorer, Connor Brown, to a three-year entry level contract on November 22nd, 2013. Brown leads all scorers with 19 goals and 49 points through 25 games. Brendan Ross
November 2013 – Connor of the Erie Otters was named to the OHL roster for the 2013 SUBWAY Super Series. The Maple Leafs’ prospect has 15 goals and 36 points through 17 games and leads the entire OHL in scoring. Brendan Ross
October 2013 – After scoring three times and adding four helpers in three weekly wins with the Erie Otters, captain Connor Brown was named the OHL Player of the Week for the week ending October 13th. As of October 15th, Connor Brown currently leads the OHL in scoring with 22 points in 10 games and should remain in contention for league MVP all season long playing on the Otters' top line in Erie. Brendan Ross
September 2013 – After being sent back to junior right away after prospect camp, Brown has started on a tear for the Erie Otters. In the first five games of OHL action he has posted nine points in five games including a five point game that thrust him to an early lead in the OHL scoring race. The torrid pace is not expected to continue as the NHL begins to make final cuts more prolific scorers will up the level of play, but it should be noted he had a very strong showing in the rookie tourney showing a strong drive and good hands. Jason Banks
March 2013 – Connor Brown came into this season looking to forget about his horrendous minus-72 rating from a year ago, playing for an Erie Otters squad that won only 10 games. Though he did manage to rack up 53 points in 68 games in 2011-12, this year has seen improvement as his totals are now up to 67 points through 61 games, with a plus/minus of minus-13. However, that is due much in part to the undersized captain getting top line minutes with now 16-year old phenom Connor McDavid for much of the season, so all-in-all his totals are good but not great. The 19-year old winger has solid offensive instincts (as his 14 PPG this season show, tied-4th in the OHL), but needs to work on his skating and certainly his defensive game. Nathan Kanter
Fantasy Outlook: B+
Brown is ready to play a secondary role in the NHL. Should supply above average offensive numbers while not hurting your team's defensive ones. Will take a few seasons to hit full stride but the trend-line is solid.
Footage:
First NHL goal:
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Nice hands in stationary position in front of net.
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Brown blows past the defense and puts a pretty move on Justin Nichols.
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Buy the latest Fantasy Prospects Report here.
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