20 Questions With American's Goalie David Brown - An Introduction

David Brown Designs His Own Goalie Masks And Has A Goalie Mask Collection - photo by chlphotos.com

Had the chance to sit down with Americans goalie David Brown after practice yesterday, his first as an Allen American. He arrived in Allen Sunday evening after making the long drive from Arizona. Brown grew up in Stoney Creek, Ontario which is on the western shores of Lake Ontario and is now part of Hamilton, Ontario. He is another of the many hockey players from the Toronto area. His hometown is 40 miles from Brampton so you can expect a big group of family and friends at the games when the team visits Brampton in a couple of weeks.

David is the oldest of three children. His father, Gary worked as a fraud investigator for the government and his mother, Domenica, just retired as a school teacher. His brother, Gary, is a doctor going through his residency in orthopedics, and his sister, Erica, just graduated with a degree in kinesiology. David graduated from Notre Dame with a business degree (Management Consulting). If you haven't read the post from yesterday, "Americans Sign Goalie David Brown" take a look as it discusses his time at Notre Dame. He has a girlfriend, Elena, who will be joining him once he gets settled. They met two years ago around Halloween when he was in Abbotsford (AHL).


The details:
Goalie -- shoots R
Born Feb 11 1985 -- Stoney Creek, ONT
[28 yrs. ago]
Height 6.00 -- Weight 190


Here are David's answers to 20 questions:

Do you have any pets? No, we did have a rabbit growing up but nothing now.

Earliest hockey memory: I remember being in hockey school when I was six and learning how to skate by pushing a chair around the rink. I didn't really like it so I quit skating until my dad and I went to Toronto to a card show where Patrick Roy was appearing. I really didn't even know who he was other than a famous hockey player. TSN (ESPN in Canada) stopped right in front of me and the entire experience was amazing as I was a big Montreal Canadiens fan. I said to my dad right there, "I want to do what he does." My dad replied, "You want to be a goalie?" The next year I was the only full time goalie in my age group (8 year olds).

Nickname: Browny

Favorite Number: #30 which I will be wearing in Allen.

Favorite Actor: Ryan Gosling

Favorite Actress: Jennifer Aniston

Something People Would Be Surprised To Learn About You: With a name like Brown I am Italian.

Favorite Type of Music: Rap & Electronica

Favorite Group or Singer: Jay-Z

If You Could Have Lunch with Anyone Who Would You Pick: Ghandi

Something That Is Great Value to You But Little Value To Others: My goalie masks. I have a collection of 8-10 and am heavily involved in the design process. Each has a story of a time and place in my career.

Where Is The Most Interesting Place You Have Visited: The Mayan Riviera ruins in Mexico.

If You Could Live In Another Country For Two Years Where Would You Live: Australia

If You Could Be Anything Besides a Pro Athlete What would It Be: CEO of a Fortune 500 company

Any Pregame Rituals or Superstitions: I have gotten rid of those as I have gotten older. I do like to find a quiet corner to reflect and focus on the game. I will play soccer with the guys on games when I am not starting.

Who Is Your Number One Fan: My mom and dad.

What Do You Like To Do To Kill Time On The Bus: I am a big movie buff so I watch a lot of movies.

Do You Have A Good Bus Story: Last year we (Arizona Sundogs) were going through the Colorado Rockies on a road trip and the bus filled with black smoke. We all ran outside as the bus was billowing smoke. So here we are in the Rockies on a highway with no shoulder. We waited for a replacement bus for six hours as the sun was going down and the temperature fell. We were on the side of the highway with our blankets, all huddled together. It was nerve wracking as it started to get dark in the Rockies with strange sounds coming from the forest.

Favorite Motto Or Saying:  It is something from Notre Dame. Play like a champion today. I have it on my mask.

If You Could Choose Someone As A Mentor Who Would You Pick: My college coach, Jeff Jackson. I learned a lot from him when I was at Notre Dame and still stay in touch with him and value his opinion.

Favorite Toy As A Child: Ninja Turtles. My favorite was Raphael.

Favorite TV Show: Family Guy, Suits, Dexter, Breaking Bad.

What Do You Like To Do Away From The Rink: I like to explore the area where I am living. In Arizona I did a lot of hiking and climbing. I know there is a lot to do in North Texas. I am a free spirit and like to be spontaneous so I will  live in the moment and enjoy the adventure. In the off season I spend a lot of time in the gym and I enjoy traveling.

Are You Active On Social Media: I am on Facebook and Instagram but I am not on Twitter.

David Played For Quad City In 2010-2012 - photo by chlphotos.com

DID YOU KNOW: The Hobey Baker Award (hockey's Heisman) selects ten finalist each year and then ten days before the Frozen Four tournament trims the 10 finalists to the top three which are called the Hobey Baker Hat Trick. In 2007 David was one of the three Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalists. Here is the description of his accomplishments in the press release announcing his selection as one of the three finalists. It is obvious he is not only a talented goalie but also a great young man.

David Brown of Notre Dame is a senior goalie who turned in a spectacular season helping the Fighting Irish to a pair of school firsts: the CCHA regular season championship and the CCHA playoff title.  Advancing to the NCAA Midwest Regional as the number one seed, Notre Dame fell in the championship game to CCHA rival Michigan State, 2-1.  Named the CCHA Player of the Year, Brown, from Stoney Creek, Ontario, finished the season with a won-loss record of 30-6-3 in 39 games.  He leads the nation in goals against average with a 1.58 mark (almost three-tenths better than his closest rival) and in wins.  His outstanding save percentage of .931 is second in the nation.  A Management Consulting major and on the school's Dean's List, Brown also found time to assist in the Buddy Walk for kids with Downs Syndrome, volunteered  every Tuesday for a Kindergarten Read-To-A-Kid program and assisted in team sponsored Christmas parties for kids.  A Pittsburgh draft pick, Brown set seven career and single-season team records.