Toronto Maple Leafs: Top 3 Late Round Picks Since 2010

Connor Brown

Unlike Abramov, Connor Brown a proven NHLer was a hometown name that all Leafs Fans name to love during his tenure in the 6ix. Brown was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 6th round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, 156th Overall.

In his draft year, Brown led a subpar Erie Otters with 25 goals and 53 points in 68 games. In his second year, he would then leap to 69 points in 63 games. Then in his third year, Brown erupted for 45 goals and 128 points in 68 games ultimately capturing the OHL and CHL scoring title. That season he was also awarded the Red Tilson Trophy being named the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player. In his last 2 seasons, Brown served the Otters as Captain before being succeeded by some guy named Connor Mcdavid.

After his outstanding junior career, Brown was quickly brought to the next stage in his career, the AHL. Over two seasons, Brown would put up 90 points in 110 games.

Brown was easily able to find a scoring touch early in his career it seemed to transfer over to his NHL career quite seamlessly. In his rookie campaign with his home town team, he would put up 20 goals and 36 points in 82 games.

In 253 career games over four seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Brown recorded 99 points while bouncing up and down the lineup consistently. His most memorable moment in his tenure was the game-winning goal that would ultimately send the underdog Leafs to the playoffs in 2017.

I remember this game like it was yesterday. I had just finished a long day at school and had to work that night from 7-11. Once I got to work I begged my boss to let me do dishes in the back so that I could listen to the game. I remember listening to Joe Bowen make the call of the goal and then screaming in the back of the restaurant as my co-workers wondered what the hell was wrong with me.

I remember how cool it was to think that a hometown kid who was picked just in the 6th round of his draft year had come this far to send his team to the finals and I remember how ecstatic it made me to see.

Sadly in 2019, Brown was included in the dire needed Nikita Zaitsev trade. Brown was sent to Ottawa where at least he was given the opportunity to flourish. In Ottawa Brown’s ice time rose from 13:48 with the Leafs, to 20:07. On a very inadequate Senators team, Brown tallied 16 goals and 43 points in 71 games.

To this day Connor Brown has not missed an NHL game, playing 324 straight without injury. Not too bad for a 26-year-old 6th round pick.