On the Move - to Seattle

When the Kraken's new television analyst flew from his Minnesota home to Seattle for meetings with team officials, JT Brown thought about moving in more ways than one.
"It's definitely different and an exciting new chapter," said Brown during an exclusive interview ahead of Monday's announcement that he will join play-by-play announcer John Forslund for Kraken telecasts on ROOT Sports Northwest during the team's 2021-22 inaugural NHL season. "Moving on from playing is a little bit of everything [in terms of emotion]. You think you will play until your legs fall off. But I had started thinking long-term-what was my next play?"

The possibility of working and learning alongside the acclaimed Forslund was "one big thing" attracting Brown to a new career path. Joining the Kraken ("taking leadership in diversity and inclusion") was another, including the chance to work "from ground up" to provide access to hockey for youth players.
Landing and envisioning Seattle as his family's new destination along with his wife, Lexi, and their two young children (four and two-and-a-half years old) sealed the decision.
"Meeting the people with the team, seeing the city itself, it felt like a place we could call home," said B. "That solidified it for us. Seattle is amazing."
"We are excited to welcome JT to the Kraken," said Tod Leiweke, the team's. "His experience as a player winning a [NCCA] national championship and competing in the Stanley Cup Final [with Tampa Bay] gives him unique insight into what it takes to compete night in and night out at the highest levels of hockey. Off the ice, JT's values and dedication to the community reflect our own."
Brown played 365 NHL games for three NHL teams, Tampa Bay, Anaheim and his hometown Minnesota Wild. He signed as an undrafted free agent with Tampa Bay in 2012 after a highly successful two seasons CKCKCK with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He was named Outstanding Player of the 2011 Frozen Four, leading Minnesota-Duluth to the NCAA championship team.
Hall of Fame player Steve Yzerman was Tampa Bay's general manager when Brown was signed as the top college free agent. Yzerman told the local media, "I'm anxious to see him play," which didn't take long when Brown debuted in the NHL three days after signing a two-year entry-level contract.

Brown scored 23 NHL goals, along with 49 assists and 211 penalty minutes. By all accounts, he was a respected teammate among peers in the NHL, American Hockey League and the Swedish Hockey League (where he competed for Bjorkloven IF in the HockeyAllsvenskan tier)
"I think my teammates and coaches appreciated what I contributed," said Brown, "how hard I worked, fearless, going into the corners, getting pucks back."
Brown earned widespread respect when he raised a fist in protest of police brutality Ferguson, MO, and Staten Island, NY, before an October 2017 regular-season game with Tampa Bay. He followed by engaging in ongoing discussions with Tampa Bay police leaders.
In William Douglas' "The Color of Hockey" column, former NHLer Bill Riley was particularly impressed and moved about Brown becoming the first NHL player to engage in silent protest before the player of the national anthem.
"I think it's good that he took a stand," said Riley, the league's third Black when he debuted with the Washington Capitals during the 1974-75 season. "Something had to be done."
Brown was named to the NHL's Fan Inclusion Committee in 2020 to help develop action-oriented solutions that positively impact the access, opportunity and experiences for underrepresented groups in the game and business of hockey.
Fans can expect Brown, who turns 31 in early July, to provide a former player's perspective, especially connected to today's generation of players. Here's a broadcast voice who was voted top player for a NCAA champion, signed by a Hall of Famer to rectify not being drafted, developed as a prospect at the same time with current Tampa Bay Lightning stars such as Nikita Kucherov, stayed the course while playing for NHL and AHL teams in the same seasons, traded from Tampa Bay to Anaheim mid-year and signing as veteran free agent with a new team.
"I look forward to talking to fans about intricacies of the game," said Brown, thrilled to learn alongside his newest teammate, Forslund. "I can help explain what players are thinking during the games.

"A lot of what players do in a game doesn't show up on the stat sheet. Everyone [in the NHL] was a No. 1 player on their teams at one time. Not everyone can be No. 1 at the NHL level."
"JT will bring an energy to our telecasts that Kraken fans will love," said Forslund. "He is fresh off his playing career and that, along with his passion for game, is a bonus for our fans."
Brown will be in the TV booth to inform avid NHL fans and newcomers alike. One example: During his early NHL days, Brown told media members he had worked on his shot during the summer months before training camp. Coach Jon Cooper affirmed that Brown shot was, in fact, improved and "when you shoot, good things happen."
"Working on his shot" means what exactly?
"Players coming from college or junior lose the time and space they had to take shots at that level," said Brown. "When you move up to the NHL [and AHL] you have to get the puck on and off much faster. It's the biggest thing for prospects to work on.
"It's about how quickly you receive the puck and put it on net for a quality shot. You watch the [Nathan] MacKinnons and [Connor] McDavids, they are not over-stickhandling the puck when they catch and shoot."
Another draw for Brown to join the Kraken is "to be involved in the community."
"I can't wait to immerse myself in helping the franchise to provide greater access to hockey for youth players and all fans," said Brown. "I'm excited to be on the ground floor at the training center's three rinks when time permits. It's a component of the [TV analyst] role that makes it such a great opportunity."
The Browns' four-year-old daughter is enthused about her own opportunity via the family move to the Pacific Northwest: "She wants a pink room," said Brown, laughing.