While Matthews, Nylander, and Marner put up all-time great numbers for Maple Leafs rookies, it was Brown who quietly went from a question mark to make the team out of training camp, to fourth-line right winger, to a key contributor on a shutdown line with Nazem Kadri and Leo Komarov. He was one of two forwards—Komarov being the other—used regularly at even strength, on the power play, and on the penalty kill.His versatility was unmatched and coach Mike Babcock's confidence in him quickly grew. When Babcock mentions Brown, he often uses the term "drive-train" player, a compliment he does not use lightly.READ MORE: This Time, the Washington Capitals Won't Choke… Unless They Do
Marner (left) and Brown: two members of the Leafs' extraordinary rookie class. Photo by Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
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Dan Brown, an accomplished minor hockey coach with the Toronto Marlboros who was inducted into the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame in 2014, coached Connor for several years of minor hockey. When he hears Babcock refer to his son as a "drive-train" player, it leaves him feeling immense pride not just because he always preached the value of hard work to his son, but more so that it always seemed to be Connor's default setting."Obviously, I'm very proud. That's one of his biggest traits that made him successful in athletics," said Dan. "It doesn't really surprise me because if you knew him as a kid growing up, you knew how competitive he was at everything. Just seeing him on the backyard rink playing against older boys and how hard he tried. Whether it's playing cards or mini-sticks, he's always just the most competitive guy, but it was a natural competitiveness. It's just easy for him; it's really internal, so I think that's what coach Babcock is referring to and it makes going to the gym and those hard workouts easy for him because it's ingrained in him."READ MORE: Nazem Kadri Has Stepped Up to the Challenge and Delivered for Young Leafs
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When you get your hometown team into the playoffs. Photo by John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Brown, a little more than a buck 37 at this point, wears the 'C' for the OHL's Erie Otters in 2012. Photo by Aaron Bell/OHL Images
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READ MORE: Auston Matthews Had One of the Greatest Rookie Seasons Ever
Brown (left) skating alongside Calder Trophy favourite Auston Matthews at the Centennial Classic. Photo by Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sport
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Brown was one of five 20-goal scorers on the Leafs. Photo by Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports