Q & A with Chris Brown
by Dave Vest / Arizona Coyotes GLENDALE – Prospect Chris Brown earned valuable experience by playing for high stakes - a national title and a gold medal - in 2010-11. He also played in a extraordinary outdoor game in front of a record crowd.
Brown, 20, whom the Coyotes selected with the 36th overall pick of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, notched nine goals and 14 assists in 42 games as a sophomore at the University of Michigan last season. Michigan was the runner-up for the NCAA championship.
During the season, Brown took time out to play for Team USA at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship. Brown, who notched two goals and an assist in six games at the elite tournament, helped Team USA win the bronze medal.
Recently, Brown spoke to phoenixcoyotes.com about his season and his plans for the future.
Q: You had nine goals and 14 assists and were plus-16 in 42 games as a sophomore at the University of Michigan last season. Do those numbers please you?
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Chris Brown. |
Q: Was being a better defensive forward a goal of yours for your sophomore season?
A: “Yeah. It was a goal to try to be a more complete player, kind of mature from freshman year to sophomore year. Freshman year I know that my role was a little different; I was supposed to be a physical guy, but also score a little bit, especially with the line that I was playing with. This past year my goal was to be that same guy, but add a little more of a defensive attitude.”
Q: You played in an outdoor game against Michigan State last season in front of 113,411 people. How cool was that?
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Chris Brown playing at "The Big House." Photo by Getty Images. |
Q: Your team reached The Frozen Four and then the National Championship game. Would you please reflect on that experience, personally and as a team?
A: “As a team it was fun to be on that kind of stage. We got to the Frozen Four and lost… It was a good bonding experience for everyone, and a learning experience as well. We beat North Dakota, which is the team that was probably supposed to win the whole thing. That was a treat in itself, and then we got to the National Championship game and lost by one goal, but everyone played hard and everyone did their job… I had a ton of family that came in to watch. Friends and family texted me after the game, telling me how proud they were of me and stuff like that. To know that that many people in the Dallas area, California, and all those states that don’t watch hockey that often were watching and supporting me was a lot of fun. So, I was really happy that I got to enjoy that experience.”
Q: In the middle of the season you played for Team USA and won a bronze medal at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship. What was that experience like?
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Chris Brown playing for Team USA. Photo by Getty Images. |
Q: So, you’re going back to Michigan next year, correct?
A: “Yes I am. I’m going back to Michigan for my junior season. It was a decision that my family and I made together, that I want to get some more credits and try to finish school so that way when the time comes and I do have to make the decision to forego my senior season, then I’ll have enough credits where I can do classes in the summer. But right now my plan is to stay all four years. To have a degree under my belt is something that I promised my parents and myself that I would get. So, whatever it takes to get a degree is what it takes. But it was a big decision to stay, and I was happy with that decision. Michigan has treated me very well and the coaches have helped me progress as a player, and that’s something I need to do next year. I need to begin to mature. We lost a lot of key guys from our team… I have to take on the role of being a leader in that aspect of stepping up and playing the same role that those guys did. It will help me mature as a player and it will help me advance my game to hopefully jump to the next level and play for the Coyotes one day. So, I think that everyone - Mr. Maloney and Mr. Treliving and Coach Tippett - are looking for me to step up this next season and prove to them that I can play at the next level.”
Q: Finally, I understand you will be coming to the Coyotes Prospect Development Camp in July for the third time. Can you talk about that event? Is it something that you look forward to? What do you get out of it?
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Chris Brown among prospects atop Camelback Mountain in 2010. |