Logan Brown Scouting Report: 2016 NHL Draft #13

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Another player with good bloodlines, Logan Brown is the son of former NHLer, and current Ottawa 67s coach, Jeff Brown. Brown was drafted 6th overall by the Niagara Ice Dogs in the 2014 OHL draft, but was soon traded to the Windsor Spitfires. Brown put up 21 goals and 53 assists for 74 points in 59 games for the Spitfires this season. After a so-so start to the season, he really came on in the second half, boosting his draft stock. He added six points in five games in the Spitfires first round playoff loss. Brown was especially impressive in the CHL Top Prospects game. Internationally, he had two goals and two assists for Team Canada Red at last year’s U17 World Hockey Challenge. However, because that is not an official IIHF event, it did not lock him into playing for Canada going forward. A dual citizen, he has choosen to play for team USA at this spring’s U18 World Championship, locking him in with USA Hockey as this is an IIHF event.

Edit: Scouting prospects is an ongoing process. Brown had an excellent U18 tournament, showing off his playing making ability, scoring 3 goals and 9 assists in seven games, and helping the American squad to the Bronze medal. Given this performance and the fact he was significantly better than Michael McLeod (a similarly ranked prospect pre-tournament) we have moved him up one slot on the draft board.

Logan Brown Scouting Report: 2016 NHL Draft #13

Center — shoots Left
Born Mar 5 1998 — Raleigh, NC
Height 6’06” — Weight 218 lbs [198 cm/99 kg]

Big and strong, Logan Brown can be a dominant player below the hashmarks. He has a powerful stride, protects the puck and takes it to the front of the net. Brown has the soft hands to finish plays in close to the net, and also has a powerful shot from further out. He does not seem to use that shot enough though, preferring to play the role of playmaker. Brown uses his size and strength to protect the puck in the cycle game, extending plays and waiting for teammates to get open. His long reach is a real asset in protecting the puck and keeping possession.

Brown has the ability to put the puck on the tape, and make saucer passes to get it through traffic in order to set up teammates. He uses his size to be physical on the forecheck, as well as to win battles for pucks down low, and establish position in front of the net. When we talk about Brown’s physicality, he is not throwing huge highlight reel checks, but he is more than willing to get involved in battles and does not shy away from contact. The scary thing is that Brown can be even stronger, as there is still room to add more muscle to his frame. Brown must learn to be more consistent game-to-game, as doing that over the final stretch and the OHL playoffs could shoot him even higher on the draft board.

Brown is a good skater for his size. He shows good speed and acceleration for a player his size. He gets in quickly on the forecheck, pressuring defenders into making mistakes, and taking the body if they don’t move the puck quickly enough. He also has better edge work and agility than you would expect from a player with his height. Brown has a powerful stride and can fight through checks and get to the front of the net on the rush. He has good lower body strength and balance.

Brown is effective in his own end of the rink. He is very good in the face-off circle. He also battles well down low, showing the same tenacity to win puck battles in his own end of the rink, as he does in the other teams end. Brown is strong positionally and uses his big frame and long reach in order to cut down on passing and shooting lanes.

There are some things that Brown will need to work on, including shooting the puck more often to make him a bit more unpredictable to defenders, and continuing to be more consistent. If he can solve those issues he can become an effective two-way centre in a team’s top 6. His style is similar to Joe Thornton, however this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on talent.

Below are some highlight videos of Logan Brown compiled from youtube.