NHL Veteran Embraces Task Of Helping Bruins Prospects In Providence

A veteran player with 10 years of professional hockey experience, Patrick Brown was already considered a leader with the Providence Bruins.

P-Bruins head coach Ryan Mougenel then rewarded the 32-year-old forward by naming Brown the 27th captain in franchise history.

“I think anybody that’s had the opportunity to be around Brownie, it’s pretty evident, that he grew up in the game. And the things that he appreciates and values, they just scream leadership,” Mougenel told NESN.com. “His approach to the game, how open he is, how he leads, how he talks to people, the quality of the language he uses. I could go on and on about the person and how, for me, I feel very grateful that we’re able to enjoy him while we have him.”

Brown joined the Bruins organization when he signed a two-year, $1.6 million contract with Boston on the first day of free agency in 2023. He played 42 games for Providence, where he amassed 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points. The Bruins recalled Brown to the NHL roster for 11 games last season. He tallied just one assist while averaging 8:50 minutes of ice time in those contests.

“I’m also a big believer in Patrick Brown can be a very valuable player in the NHL as well,” Mougenel said. “Just kind of finding a little bit more of a role for him up there. … I think (the coaches in Providence) approach it a little bit differently in the fact that we’re going to enjoy the time we have with him.

“If he can help our staff be a better staff as coaches, if he can teach our young pros what it takes day in and day out, we’re just going to value our time that we have with him. Whether if it’s one week, if it’s two weeks, if it’s three months. I think he understands how we value him. And we’re very lucky to have him here with us.”

Brown played in five of the Bruins’ seven preseason games before being assigned to Providence to begin the season. He lit the lamp twice and added one assist while averaging more than 14 minutes of ice time. Brown has scored two goals in four games for Providence to begin the season.

Even though he is beginning his season in the AHL, Brown is focused on continuing to grow his game.

“I think the most important thing is to just stay in the present so that you can control what you can control,” Brown told NESN.com. “Whether it’s practice or games, you have to be the best version of yourself every single day so that you’re not stressing over what can I do so that I get called up?”

As one of Providence’s leaders, Brown offers younger prospects like Fabian Lysell and Georgii Merkulov the best advice he can to ensure they don’t lose confidence as they continue to improve their game.

“The first thing is you just have to remember that even if you’re down here in Providence, you still have the best job in the whole world,” Brown said. “You get to wake up every morning and go play hockey. … Come to the rink with a smile on your face and work as hard as you can.”

Brown continued: “The second thing is, the Bruins drafted, signed or traded for you for a reason. They saw something in your game that they liked, and they chose you. Just remember that. Even though someone beat you out for a job in Boston, the Bruins still chose you. They like what they see.

“You just need to work on that, work on your game, develop your all-around game as a player and as a pro. You keep doing that and things will work out for you. The Bruins already said, ‘We like you.’ So, you just have to keep developing your game.”