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As a skinny, undersized rookie in the American Hockey League last season, he led the Marlies in scoring while finishing first among AHL rookies in points with 61 on his way to an AHL All-Star Game.

This season, after returning from his ankle injury to post 29 points in 34 games, Brown had six points for the Leafs during his seven-game stint in the NHL.

As the Marlies pursue the Calder Cup, Brown has continued to take on a leading role on the team’s top line with Mark Arcobello and Josh Leivo.

He plays in all situations, playing on the team’s power play and penalty kill units.

In Game 2 of the Marlies’ second-round series against the Albany Devils, Brown helped to kill off a 5-on-3 penalty kill before providing a screen for T.J. Brennan on the game-tying goal in the second period.

In the third, with the game once again tied 3-3, Brown won a race for a loose puck and picked up his first assist of the game setting up Brennan for his second goal of the game.

The goal stood as the game winner and Marlies head coach Sheldon Keefe credited his high-scoring right-winger for the assist that made it happen.

“That was a good example of the recipe we need to generate some offence and get some looks,” Keefe said.

And Brown feels like he’s come a long way. He feels confident at the AHL level.

“I think I’ve come a long way, especially through the injury, I feel a lot more dominant than I did in playoffs last year,” he said. “I feel like a lot more of a complete player as well — stronger, faster. I feel good about myself.”

Moving forward, Brown thinks he can return to Leafs training camp and make the team.

“I’m going to do everything I can in the offseason to set myself up for a good camp like I did last year,” he said. “I had a pretty good camp.”

But for now, he’s trying not to look too far ahead.

“Right now is about Albany, you’ll drive yourself crazy thinking about the Leafs, you just have to live in the here and now,” he said.

Through five playoff games, Brown is tied for the Marlies’ lead in scoring among forwards with four points.

“I feel good,” he said of himself. “I feel really, really good.”