Jeff Brown

Jeff Randall Brown (born April 30, 1966) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from the mid-1980s to late 1990s.

During his career, Brown was considered to be in the upper echelon of NHL defencemen.

Brown joined the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) when he was selected in the first round, second overall, in the 1982 OHL Priority Draft.

In his first season with Sudbury in 1982–83, Brown appeared in 65 games, scoring nine goals and 46 points, leading the Wolves defense in scoring, and finishing fifth in overall team scoring.

However, the rebuilding club failed to qualify for the post-season.

In 1983–84, Brown saw a big increase in his offensive numbers, as he scored 17 goals and 77 points in 68 games, finishing second in team scoring.

However, the club failed to qualify for the post-season.

Brown led the Wolves in scoring during the 1984–85 season with 64 points, scoring 16 goals and 48 assists in 56 games.

Sudbury missed the playoffs once again.

Brown was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the second round, 36th overall, at the 1984 NHL Entry Draft held at the Montreal Forum.

In 1985–86, Brown missed 21 games, but he scored 22 goals, a career high in the OHL, and had 50 points, helping Sudbury reach the playoffs for the first and only time in his junior career.

In four playoff games, Brown had two assists, as the Wolves were swept by the Guelph Platers in the first round.

Brown was awarded the Max Kaminsky Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding defenseman in the OHL, and was named to the OHL First All-Star team.

Brown saw limited action with the Nordiques during the 1985–86 season, appearing in eight games, scoring three goals and five points.

In one playoff game, Brown was held off the scoresheet.

Brown also appeared in one post-season game with the Nordiques AHL affiliate, the Fredericton Express, getting no points.

He began the 1986–87 season with the Express, appearing in 26 games, scoring two goals and 16 points, before being promoted to Quebec.

Brown finished the 1986–87 season with the Nordiques, scoring seven goals and 29 points in 44 games, providing the club with some much needed offense.

In 11 playoff games, Brown scored three goals and six points in 13 games, as the Nordiques lost to their provincial rivals, the Montreal Canadiens in seven games in the Adams Division final.

Brown spent the entire 1987–88 season with the Nordiques, appearing in 78 games, scoring 16 goals and 53 points, the most among Nordiques defensemen, and fifth on the team; however, the club failed to reach the post-season.

In 1988–89, Brown continued to put up very high offensive numbers, scoring 21 goals and 68 points in 78 games, again leading Nordiques defensemen in scoring, and had the third highest total on the club.

The rebuilding Nordiques, however, missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

Brown began the 1989–90 season with Quebec, as in 29 games, he scored six goals and 16 points.

On December 13, 1989, the Nordiques traded Brown to the St. Louis Blues for Tony Hrkac and Greg Millen.

Brown finished the 1989-90 season with the St. Louis Blues, as he continued to put up very solid offensive numbers, scoring 10 goals and 38 points in 48 games, helping the Blues reach the post-season.

In the playoffs, Brown scored two goals and 12 points in 12 games, as the Blues lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in seven games in the Norris Division final.

In 1990–91, Brown led the Blues defense in scoring, as he had 12 goals and 59 points in 67 games, as he missed nearly a month of the season due to broken left ankle, and was third in overall team scoring, only behind Brett Hull and Adam Oates, as the Blues finished with the second best record in the league, getting 105 points.

In the playoffs, Brown continued to be very productive, scoring three goals and 12 points in 13 games, but the Blues were upset by the Minnesota North Stars in the Norris Division final, losing in six games.

Brown scored at least 20 goals for the second time of his career in 1991–92, as in 80 games, he had 20 goals and 59 points, again leading the Blues defense in scoring, and tied for fourth for team scoring, as St. Louis reached the post-season once again.

The 20 goals tied Larry Sacharuk's team record.

In the playoffs, Brown had two goals and three points in six games, as the Blues lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the playoffs.

He was selected to play in the 1992 NHL All-Star Game and still holds many offensive records for the St. Louis Blues.

In 1992–93, Brown had the best season of his career, setting a career high with 25 goals and 78 points in 71 games, leading the Blues defense in scoring again, and fourth on the team, despite missing 13 games due to a broken foot.

The 25 goals establish a new single-season team record for defencemen that still holds.

In the playoffs, Brown had three goals and 11 points in 11 games, tied for second in overall team scoring, as the club swept the heavily favoured Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the playoffs, before losing to the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games in the Norris Division final.

Brown began the 1993–94 season with St. Louis, appearing in 68 games, scoring 13 goals and 60 points, leading the defense in scoring for the fourth straight season.

Brown finished 1993–94 with the Canucks after his late season trade, appearing in 11 games with the team, scoring a goal and six points.

On March 21, 1994, the Blues traded Brown, Bret Hedican and Nathan LaFayette to the Vancouver Canucks for Craig Janney.

In the playoffs, Brown had a memorable performance, as he scored six goals and 15 points in 24 games, leading the Canucks defense in scoring, as Vancouver lost to the New York Rangers in seven games in the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals.

In the lockout shortened 1994–95 season, Brown appeared in 33 games with Vancouver, scoring eight goals and 31 points, finishing fourth in overall team scoring, despite missing 15 games due to a cracked bone in his wrist after being slashed by Kris Draper of the Detroit Red Wings, and a separated shoulder late in the season.