Connor Brown Dishes On Karaoke, Cooking, and His Cat Mr. Samuelson

Drafted by the Maple Leafs in the sixth round of the 2012 NHL Draft, Connor Brown’s career faced uncertain odds from the get-go. But after a breakout season with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies last year, the 22-year-old winger has cracked the Leafs roster and shown flashes of brilliance — including a 4 point night, his first two-goal game in the NHL, against the Florida Panthers last month.

Continuing our series of Leafs rookie interviews, we caught up with the affable Etobicoke native to talk his penchant for blocking shots, his skills in the kitchen and his infamous pet.

What’s been the most surprising aspect of playing in the NHL thus far?

I think it’s just the way you get treated day to day. Especially here in Toronto, from our plane to the hotels we stay at to the training staff and all the resources we have, it’s truly unbelievable. It would be very easy to take it for granted, but I’m very fortunate to be in this position.

Being a hometown boy now playing for the Maple Leafs, have you found yourself getting recognized on the street yet?

Yeah [laughs], now and then it’s started happening. Not as much as some of the other guys though. When I’m ever out with Auston Matthews going to eat somewhere, pretty much every time we go to eat, someone is asking him for a picture or an autograph. But I’ve been recognized a bit, probably more so here in Etobicoke, though.

Speaking of Etobicoke, you’re back home to start your professional career. What’s been the biggest advantage of being here to start your professional career after playing junior with the Erie Otters?

It was big for me, especially in my first year of professional hockey, coming back from the OHL and adapting to the pro lifestyle. Obviously I didn’t make the Leafs out of training camp the first couple years and ended up playing with the Marlies. But I didn’t have to worry about living on my own or getting meals — my parents have been very helpful in that regard. Just being able to focus on hockey during my first couple of years as a pro has been great.

After being picked 156th overall in 2012, you flew under the radar and went back for a couple more seasons in the OHL. But your outstanding first season with the Marlies, putting up 61 points in 76 games, really put you at the forefront of people’s minds. What allowed you to have such a successful transition?

I think my last season in Erie is when I realized that I could play at the next level. I got a lot of opportunities from Coach [Gord] Dineen my first year with the Marlies — he really trusted me a lot as a young guy. I really made sure I was taking care of the puck first and took pride defensively, trying to play a pro style of game. That was something my coach in Erie, Kris Knoblauch, really emphasized. That allowed me to play a lot right off the bat and now is allowing me to play here.

Your dad, Dan Brown, is a longtime minor hockey coach and was recently inducted into the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame. What kind of impact has he had on your career?

The way I play, a lot of credit goes to him. I love to produce offence, but I understand what it takes to get it done and win hockey games and a lot of that is because of him. He coached me all the way up as a kid and I’d hear him talking about how important it was to play properly away from the puck. That hit home with me from a young age. I tried to carry that throughout my OHL career and now into the pros, and it’s paying off.

What’s it like being able to share your NHL experience with your dad?

Oh, yeah, it’s been pretty cool. Obviously he’s enjoying it, he and my mom Anne. Being from the area, getting to live at home and play in the NHL, it’s been a dream for me and a dream for them, too.

Apart from your dad, who is one person that’s had a big hand in helping you get to where you are today?

My older brother Jeff for sure. He played youth hockey with the Toronto Marlboros and then moved onto the St. Michael’s Buzzers and then the OHL, so I was always looking up to him and what he was doing in his career. Now he’s overseas playing in England while getting his MBA, so I admired how hard he worked to get where he did. He was undrafted in the OHL but he still found a way to punch a hole and make an impact with the Oshawa Generals. When I was a late draft pick in the OHL [13th round, 251st overall in 2010], I understood because of Jeff that it’s very possible to not only make it, but make an impact.

You were always a smaller player growing up, but still made it all the way to the NHL. How did you overcome the size disadvantage? And what would you tell young kids who think they’ll always be too small for the pros?

Just be patient. I kind of knew I was going to be a late bloomer. I’d barely gone through puberty when I was playing junior with the Buzzers [laughs], so you just have to be patient and make sure you’re working hard. When you get behind, it’s easy to take a step back but you just have to keep believing.

One of the things that Mike Babcock has mentioned is your desire to block shots on the penalty kill. It is by no means a pleasant thing to do, but it’s something that makes a big difference when you’re playing shorthanded. Is there anything about blocking shots that you can convince yourself is fun?

I don’t know if there is anything fun about it, but it’s rewarding when the boys get excited. A big block kind of energizes your bench just like a big hit can.

Those blocks weren’t a big part of your game in junior. When did you decide that it was something you needed to do? 

Well I want to play in the NHL, it’s as simple as that. Penalty killing is a big part of me being here. It’s a part of getting the job done,so I’m going to do it.

What’s the better feeling: Hopping over the boards for your first NHL shift or scoring your first NHL goal?

I think scoring my first NHL goal was more memorable. I had a lot of nerves those first few games. That was a cool goal to get last year, because it tied the game up against the Anaheim Ducks late in the third period and we ended up winning in overtime.

You remember who you scored it against right?

Oh, yeah. [Laughs.] Freddie Andersen.

We’d be remiss if we did not ask you about Mr. Samuelson.

Mr. Samuelson is a legend. He’s our family’s cat, he’s a beauty. A Norwegian forest cat, good guy. We’re all getting T-shirts with him on it for Christmas.

The whole team?

[Laughs.] No, no, my whole family. Actually a bunch of the Marlies guys are pretty well acquainted with him for coming over for dinner, but I should probably introduce him to a few of the boys here.

What do you like to do away from the rink?

In the summertime, I love golfing a lot and heading up to the cottage up north. Those two things take up a lot of my time in the summer. During the NHL season, there’s not much down time, so it’s just a lot of rest and recovery.

What’s your biggest interest that has nothing to do with sports?

Hmm. that’s tough. I’d have to say family. My family has always been a big part of my life and very close to me.

We hear you are getting your own place downtown soon. How are you in the kitchen?

Pretty good actually. I lived with Adam Pelech, who plays for the New York Islanders now, when we both played for Erie. He was a very good cook so he kind of taught me my way around the kitchen. I picked up a thing or two, so hopefully I didn’t forget too much.

Do you have a signature dish?

We used to just do a lot of chicken, broccoli, sweet potatoes, asparagus. Wanted to make sure it’s healthy, right? Especially if you’re only going to learn one dish!

What question have you been asked so often since getting to the NHL that you are tired of answering?

Honestly, I haven’t tired of anything yet. Can’t think of anything that bothers me.

That must mean you’re getting good questions!

[Laughs.] Yeah, exactly!

Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews were caught on camera singing “Livin On A Prayer” a couple of months ago. What’d you think when you saw the video?

I thought that was funny. I think I was singing it as well a little farther down the bench but didn’t get caught on camera. It was such an energized game, we were up 6-3 at the time and the big fights broke out. That was just such a cool game, it felt very “Saturday Night” on Hockey Night in Canada. It was an awesome night, and they got caught up in it. It’s funny that the camera caught them.

So, being an Etobicoke guy, surely you’ve found your way to the Karaoke Night at the Old Sod on Bloor Street on a Sunday night. What is your go-to karaoke song?

I’m not much of a karaoke guy. I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever done one. But I do have a few buddies that whenever we’re out, they always seem to end up singing “Diamonds” by Rihanna which is pretty funny.

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Connor Brown,NHL,Q&A,Rookies,Toronto Maple Leafs