Connor Brown

Connor Brown (born January 14, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a right winger for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). Brown was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the sixth round, 156th overall, of the 2012 NHL entry draft. Brown played for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) from 2011 until 2014, then for the American Hockey League (AHL)'s Toronto Marlies for the better part of two seasons before joining the Toronto Maple Leafs full-time in the 2016–17 season. He played for two more years with Toronto before he was traded to the Ottawa Senators in 2019. Brown spent three seasons with the Senators where he was an alternate captain. He was traded to the Washington Capitals heading into the 2022–23 season, but only played four games before suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury. He then signed with the Oilers as a free agent in 2023.

Playing career

Amateur

Brown grew up playing youth ice hockey in the Toronto area. He played first for the West Mall Lightning mite select team, in the North York Hockey League, where his father was the head coach. The Lightning team later morphed in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL)'s Toronto Marlboros team for players born in 1994. The core of the team won 10-straight city championships and included seven players who would go on to be selected by NHL teams at the 2012 NHL entry draft: Brown, Scott Laughton, Matt Finn, Adam Pelech, Scott Kosmachuk, Jake Paterson and Matia Marcantuoni. Brown was selected in the 13th round, 251st overall, by the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)'s Erie Otters in the 2010 OHL Priority Draft. He spent the 2010–11 season playing Junior "A" level for the St. Michael's Buzzers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), appearing in 49 games, recording 17 goals, 22 assists and 39 points.

Brown joined the Otters for the 2011–12 season and led the team in points (53), goals (25) and assists (28), and was named to the OHL's All-Rookie Team. However, he recorded a plus-minus of –72. The plus-minus was primarily a result of an Otters team that finished last in the OHL, resulting in the franchise drafting first overall in the OHL draft and selecting future NHL star Connor McDavid. He recorded 28 goals, 41 assists and 69 points in 68 games that season for the team, again leading the team in scoring and his plus-minus improved to –11.

Brown spent the 2013–14 season on a line with Connor McDavid, recording 45 goals and 83 assists for 128 points in 68 games. He went on to put up eight goals and 10 assists in 14 games during the playoffs to cap off what was the best season in team's history. At the time of his departure, he held the Otters franchise record for most points in a single season; his record has since been passed by former linemate Dylan Strome, who surpassed it by one point the following season.

Professional

Toronto Maple Leafs

Brown entered the 2012 NHL entry draft and was selected in the sixth round, 156th overall, by his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. Brown's offensive talent led the Maple Leafs to select him, but his small stature and historically bad plus-minus caused the pick to be called a "gamble". In his first year with the Maple Leafs' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, he was voted into the AHL's All-Star Game starting roster as the team's only representative. He won the AHL rookie scoring title, finishing the regular season with 21 goals and 40 assists in 76 games. The Marlies made the 2015 Calder Cup playoffs and in five games, Brown recorded five points (one goal and four assists). For his efforts, he was named the AHL's Rookie of the Year, and their All-Rookie Team.

Brown almost made the Maple Leafs' NHL roster out of training camp for the 2015–16 season, but was assigned to the AHL to further his development. He appeared in 34 games with the Marlies, recording 11 goals and 29 points. and scored his first NHL goal on March 24, against the Anaheim Ducks. On March 29, he registered three assists in a game versus the Florida Panthers, setting up goals by Nazem Kadri and Michael Grabner. Brown made seven appearances with Toronto, scoring the one goal and adding six assists for seven points. The Marlies made it to the AHL's conference finals, but were eliminated in five games by the Hershey Bears.

Brown made the Maple Leafs' roster full-time for the 2016–17 season. However, a deep presence of forward depth meant Brown was playing on the fourth line with Matt Martin, though he saw time on the penalty kill. After five games in a limited role, Maple Leafs veteran forward Milan Michálek was placed on waivers in order to make room and give Brown a larger role on the team. Former Maple Leaf Ben Smith rejoined the team via waivers in order to take Brown's former spot. Brown played the rest of the year mostly on a line with Nazem Kadri and Leo Komarov, collecting 20 goals and compiling 36 points. The Maple Leafs made the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs and Brown made his playoff debut on April 16, 2017, in the game 1 loss to the Washington Capitals in the opening round. He registered his first playoff point assisting on Auston Matthews' third period goal in a 5–4 loss to the Capitals on April 19. The Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Capitals in six games. He appeared in all six games with just the one point. The Bruins eliminated the Maple Leafs in seven games. He played in all seven games, recording one goal and three points. He marked his second career three-assist game on December 18, setting up goals by Morgan Rielly and Tyler Ennis. Toronto again faced Boston in the first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, who again eliminated the Maple Leafs in seven games. Brown had just one assist in the seven games. He made his debut for the Senators on opening day of the 2019–20 season versus Toronto and assisted on Brady Tkachuk's goal in the first period. He scored his first goal for Ottawa in a 5–2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on October 27, and also assisted on Nick Paul's second goal of the game. Brown finished the season second on the team in scoring, with 16 goals and 43 points in 71 games. The NHL suspended the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 12, 2020, and since the Senators were a rebuilding team with a losing record, were not invited to the qualifying round of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs.

On October 22, Brown re-signed as a restricted free agent with the Senators, for three years at an average annual value of $3.6 million. During the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, he finished the season with 21 goals and 35 points in 56 games. Brown set the Senators franchise record that season for consecutive games with a goal with seven, set on April 10, 2021. On April 20, Brown scored two goals in a 4–2 win over the Calgary Flames. On May 8, Brown registered a three-point game, scoring one goal and assisting on two of Tim Stützle's three goals in a 4–2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. The Senators failed to make the playoffs.

During the 2021–22 season, Brown recorded only 10 goals and 39 points in 64 games. He tied his career-high of three assists in a game on October 17, 2021, setting up goals by Nick Paul and both scored by Chris Tierney. The Senators missed the playoffs for the fifth straight season.

Washington Capitals Following his third season with the Senators, Brown was traded on the opening day of free agency on July 13, 2022, to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a second-round draft pick in 2024 NHL entry draft.

Edmonton Oilers As an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of his contract with the Capitals and missing most of the previous season, Brown signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers for the 2023–24 season on July 1, 2023. He made his Oilers debut on October 12, in an 8–1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. He struggled to start the season, still recovering from the time off following the knee injury. He ended his personal 72-game goal drought scoring his first goal with the Oilers on March 13, 2024, in a 7–2 victory over the Capitals, in turn receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. On March 6, Adam Henrique was acquired by the Oilers and with Mattias Janmark, the three formed a third line that was a key to the Oilers' playoff success. He finished the season with four goals and 12 points in 71 games. Brown was re-signed to a one-year, $1 million contract by the Oilers for the 2024–25 season on July 1, 2024.

New Jersey Devils As an unrestricted free agent, Brown signed with the New Jersey Devils to a four-year, $12 million contract on July 1, 2025.

International play

Brown was selected to play for Canada national team in the 2021 World Championship. Canada lost its first two games, but after Andrew Mangiapane joined the team and was placed on the first line with Brown and Henrique, the team's fortunes turned around. Brown assisted on all three Canada's goals in the championship game, including setting up Nick Paul to score the game-winning goal in overtime to secure the gold medal in a 3–2 victory over Finland national team.

Personal life Brown became engaged to his long-time girlfriend in January 2020, and were married in August 2021. Brown and his wife have one child.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2009–10 Toronto Marlboros GTHL 80 25 44 69 16 — — — — — 2010–11 St. Michael's Buzzers OJHL 49 17 22 39 18 3 0 1 1 0 2011–12 Erie Otters OHL 68 25 28 53 14 — — — — — 2012–13 Erie Otters OHL 63 28 41 69 39 — — — — — 2013–14 Erie Otters OHL 68 45 83 128 22 14 8 10 18 8 2014–15 Toronto Marlies AHL 76 21 40 61 10 5 1 3 4 2 2015–16 Toronto Marlies AHL 34 11 18 29 8 15 7 2 9 6 2015–16 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 7 1 5 6 0 — — — — — 2016–17 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 82 20 16 36 10 6 0 1 1 0 2017–18 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 82 14 14 28 18 7 1 2 3 0 2018–19 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 82 8 21 29 16 7 0 1 1 2 2019–20 Ottawa Senators NHL 71 16 27 43 24 — — — — — 2020–21 Ottawa Senators NHL 56 21 14 35 12 — — — — — 2021–22 Ottawa Senators NHL 64 10 29 39 10 — — — — — 2022–23 Washington Capitals NHL 4 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2023–24 Edmonton Oilers NHL 71 4 8 12 10 19 2 4 6 6 2024–25 Edmonton Oilers NHL 82 13 17 30 10 20 5 4 9 2 2025–26 New Jersey Devils NHL 75 18 25 43 22 — — — — —NHL totals 676 125 176 301 132 59 8 12 20 10

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2021 Canada WC 10 2 14 16 2 2026 CanadaWC 4th 10 2 2 4 4Senior totals 20 4 16 20 6

Awards and honours Award Year RefOHL First All-Rookie Team 2012 Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy 2014 First All-Star Team 2014 AHL AHL All-Star Game 2015 AHL All-Rookie Team 2015