Being overlooked and undrafted did not keep J.T. Brown from taking after his father in becoming a professional athlete.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound forward grew up outside Minneapolis, where his father, Ted, an All-American at North Carolina State and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, was a running back for the Minnesota Vikings from 1979-86.

J.T. played football in his youth but carved out a path to pro sports on the ice, beginning with Rosemount (Minn.) High School, and then with Waterloo of the United States Hockey League. He had a stellar two-year stint at the University of Minnesota-Duluth; he was named the most outstanding player at the 2011 Frozen Four, when he helped the Bulldogs to an NCAA championship as a freshman, and was named to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's all-league first team in 2012.

Brown left college after two years, went undrafted and signed with Tampa Bay on March 28, 2012. After appearing in the final five games of the 2011-12 season with the Lightning, Brown played for the United States at the IIHF World Championship in 2012.

Since being called up from the American Hockey League on Nov. 12, 2013, Brown has emerged as a high-energy forechecker capable of getting under the skin of his opponents with a relentless approach.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• USHL Second All-Star Team (2010)
• WCHA All-Rookie Team (2011)
• NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team (2011)
• NCAA Championship Tournament MVP (2011)
• WCHA First All-Star Team (2012)
• NCAA West Second All-American Team (2012)
• Signed as a free agent by Tampa Bay, March 28, 2012.
• Claimed on waivers by Anaheim from Tampa Bay, January 14, 2018.
• Signed as a free agent by Minnesota, July 1, 2018.