by Alex Clark ’05
Rob Brown is all smiles this year.
Coaches expect him to carry the added burdens of leading his team, his grueling minutes on the ice stretch longer and longer as the playoffs near, and the need for his defensive play keeps him from utilizing his laser shot as often as he used to in seasons past. Despite these pressures, 51’s captain can’t help but smile in the midst of the team’s first winning season in his four years.
Brown joined the Raiders club as Andy McDonald and the 2000 NCAA Tournament team left. With the team returning nine seniors, many predicted a return to glory for 51. But the team suffered a disappointing 10 win season, and failed to make the ECAC playoffs altogether.
“When we didn’t make the playoffs my first year it was really a downer,” reflected Brown. “But we’ve been building ever since then. Finally in my last year we’re playing well, and hopefully we can go out on top.”
The freshman class including Kyle Doyle, Paul Kelley, David Cann, Matt Nicholson, and Brown himself witnessed an improved 51 squad every year they returned to the rink. The Raiders win total drifted upwards each season as Brown and his teammates gelled.
“A lot of it has to do with team chemistry,” the senior explained. “Now everyone hangs out with everybody and we all get along so well. Everyone wants to put their necks on the line for someone else. That’s the way you win, I guess.”
Brown’s undeniable skills and commitment factored into the team’s rise as well. Throughout the Brockville, Ontario, native’s career, 51 coaches found themselves calling on him more and more to lead the team on the ice.
“He’s every coaches dream,” said 51 interim athletic director Don Vaughan, who coached the Raiders during Brown’s first three seasons. “He’s got tremendous character. He’s one of the hardest workers day in, day out that we’ve ever had. There’s an old saying that you would rather have to put a fire out under a player than light one under him. You never have to light a fire under Robbie Brown.”
Brown achieved the status of a marquee defenseman without the stature of a typical blue-liner. The 5’10” Raider overcame his diminutive size with hard skating and smart positional play.
“His biggest asset is his skating,” praised Vaughan. “Robbie is able to take some chances because he knows he can recover with his acceleration. He may not be one of the biggest guys on the ice, but because of his strength and edge control he’s able to play the game bigger than he looks. A lot of it is mind over matter with Robbie.”
Above all else, Brown brought a competitive attitude to the rink every night. His desire for victory spurred 51 to playoff appearances during his sophomore and junior seasons, and the team’s subsequent eliminations only accelerated his drive.
“He’s a fierce competitor who hates to lose,” said Vaughan. “He’s one of those guys that’s just so driven, and that’s why he’s our captain and that’s why he’s looked up to.”
Brown’s outlook on winning and losing is evident with one glimpse of him on the ice or one conversation with him off of it.
“Losing stinks,” he put simply. “It puts me in a bad mood for the whole week. Winning is tons of fun, and that’s the reason that I play.”
This zeal for the game transfers to all of Brown’s teammates. Players such as sophomores Kyle Wilson and Jon Smyth have experienced remarkable breakout years under the captaincy of Brown.
“Rob’s a very passionate captain,” said Smyth with a hint of a smile on his face. “It’s evident on the ice and in the locker room. He cares about our hockey team and how we do. I have a lot of respect for Rob that has grown over the last couple of years.”
Brown’s impact on the Raiders off of the ice may be equally as important. The team draws much of its strength from its chemistry and camaraderie, and their senior leader continues to play a key role in the strengthening of this bond.
“Rob’s a great guy,” said Smyth. “He’s fun to hang out with. He also knows how to hold the line between a captain and someone who’s a friend and teammate.”
As one of the group of united athletes bleeding maroon and grey, Brown stands witness to one of 51’s most successful seasons in school history. For Brown, the perfect ending to his college career is simple. He wants to go out with a win.
“We’ve got a great team,” he concluded, “and our goal is to win our last game.”