A lot has changed for the Checkers over the last three seasons. Three different coaches have manned the bench, franchise records have been broken and a plethora of players have come and gone.
At least one thing remained constant, however – Patrick Brown wearing a letter on his jersey.
After serving as an alternate captain during his second pro season in 2015-16, Brown has been named captain each of the past two seasons, joining Brett Sutter as the only players in franchise history to don a C for multiple seasons.
Heading up an extremely young team this year, Brown showed why he continues to be called upon as a captain.
“He’s the prefect pro,” said head coach Mike Vellucci. “He brought the young guys along and showed them what it is to play the game the right way, to live your life the right way, to work out the right way. The ultimate pro.”
When it comes to his leadership style, the 26-year-old employs a more hands-off approach.
“I lead by example,” said Brown. “I try and bring the same amount of energy every single day. Never too low, never too high but always upbeat. I just come in and try every day and lead by example and guys will follow along.”
On the ice, Brown turned in another solid statistical season, setting a career high with 20 helpers and ranking second among team forwards with a plus-18 rating.
“From a hockey standpoint he gives it everything he’s got,” said Vellucci. “I thought he could have scored more this year, he had a lot of chances and just put too much pressure on himself. But overall his game was great and very consistent.”
Now, after four years in Charlotte, Brown wants to finish what this team started, inking a new deal with Carolina on Wednesday.
“This organization has been great to me,” he said. “I love playing here, I love the people here. I want to win here. That’s the most important thing. We’ve been getting better every year and the organization’s headed in the right direction and I want to be here for it.”