When reading about a hockey player drafted 156th overall in the 6th round of the NHL entry draft, who stands 5’11” and weighs 170 lbs, you don’t really put much thought into it. At first glance you would assume this is a player who will probably finish his career in juniors, maybe play a year as an over aged player and then disappear into a normal life.

You’d be surprised when realizing this is a description of Toronto born Leafs prospect Connor Brown, a player often considered a long shot to play meaningful hockey by most pundits as he was most often describe as “small” and “undersized” during his draft year.

All that being said, Connor Brown answered all of his critics following his draft year by having a strong sophomore season putting up 28 goals and 69 points in 63 games. Again, critics were still labeling him as “too small” and knowing that many young players in the OHL put up good numbers yet so few make it out of junior and further their careers at the pro level.

Connor Brown: Challenge Accepted

Connor Brown knew his challenge was to make his next season count and he took that challenge to heart. He came out “swinging” in his third and final junior season dominating the Ontario hockey league finishing with a very impressive 45 goals and 128 points in 68 games to run away with the scoring title and winning the Red Tilson trophy which is awarded to the OHL’s most outstanding player.

Connor Brown’s fairytale like career now turned pro as he joined the Toronto Marlies with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove in his first AHL season he spent his offseason training and packed on some muscle. Yet, I was among many who expected Brown to take on a minimal role playing a more energy forward as he learned and adapted to the faster pro game since he was still believed to be too small of a forward to have any significant impact in the AHL right away.

Connor Brown surprised and silenced all critics once more in his first pro season with the Toronto Marlies where he was named to the AHL’s All rookie team as well he finished his first pro season leading his team in scoring with 21 goals and 61 points. More impressive then that was his play in his own end which gave him a +24 on the season which also was best on the team for plus/minus. Connor Brown finishing the season tied for 10th in scoring among older more experienced players and took home the AHL rookie scoring title.

It seems now, and only now, Connor Brown is finally starting to get the recognition he deserves for his skill, work ethic and determination despite being one of the “smaller” guys. I believe he’s expecting to build on a very impressive first season and will enter training camp this summer with a very talented group of young offensive players and will be counted on as a leader for the Marlies going forward. The question of “if” he’ll ever play for Toronto Maple Leafs with an opportunity as a top 6 forward is no longer being asked, the question has now become “when”.