News Article: Dustin Brown's Article in The Players' Tribune

[Ziggy Stardust]

When there are trade rumors about you, it’s hard not to hear the noise. You can try to spend more time with your wife and kids, watch less TV, keep your head down in the locker room — but you hear the noise.

In February of 2012, I heard the noise loud and clear. I was captain of the L.A. Kings and I knew the expectations that came with my role. It’s a winning town … and we weren’t winning. The front office had changed coaches in December and we’d hovered around 10th in conference for most of the year — it wasn’t good enough. I knew that.

But I also knew what we had in our room.

We had lost in the first round of the playoffs the previous two seasons. We were young. We didn’t really know what it took to have success in the playoffs. But losing is the best teacher — I really believe that.

Our team was capable of so much more than we had shown up to that point — I thought that every time I walked into the locker room on game day. I’d see Drew, Anže, Quickie and the rest of our group — talented players who could take us all the way — and I’d try to figure out how we could fix whatever was wrong.

One day late that month, I was sitting in the corner of our locker room a few hours before a game. We’d just lost four in a row and I’d only scored one goal that month. Our room wasn’t a great place to be. So when Tim Leiweke came in, it was a bit … concerning. Tim was the CEO of the Kings at the time, and it was pretty rare to see him down in that part of the arena.

He walked in and went right to the middle of the room — maybe 15 feet from me. And then he looked around for a few seconds until he found me.

“Brownie, we’re not f***ing trading you. Your job is to be the captain of this team and to lead us to the Stanley Cup.”

And he walked out.

That was it — after weeks of trade speculation and self-doubt. And just like that, I felt like a weight had been taken off my shoulders. I went out and scored a hat trick in a 4–0 win over the Blackhawks a few hours later.
You’re going to tell me that’s a coincidence?

Click to read more...

 

[Scottkmlps]

Read it earlier this morning. Really nice read.

 

[Sol]

Will always love Brown as a Kings fan. More than a hockey player. Been a warrior for this team, I will always have an irrational admiration for his game even if he's doing bad.

He's the only player I could never judge neutrally.

Hope he has a great life along with his family.

Will always be a big part of the reason why I loved the Kings as a kid.

Live long and prosper.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I still think of Brown as the captain of the team. Kopitar is wearing the 'C', but Brown's play this season has really helped put the team in the position they are in. Without him and Kopitar reconnecting, this team would be in the gutter, but they are carrying the bulk of the offense and earning their paychecks this season.

 

[KingsFan7824]

I can't think of another player that almost disappeared for the majority of 4 consecutive seasons, and then so far, had a huge bounce back season in the next one. At 33 no less. There has to be a similar example, but off the top of my head, it's not coming to me.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I can't think of another player that almost disappeared for the majority of 4 consecutive seasons, and then so far, had a huge bounce back season in the next one. At 33 no less. There has to be a similar example, but off the top of my head, it's not coming to me.

Maybe Luc Robitaille?

He averaged over 40 goals per season and over a point per game every season up until the lockout. He was a hair under those numbers in Pittsburgh with 42 points in 46 games in the abbreviated 48-game 1994-95 season, and that would be his lone season in Pittsburgh. After being dealt to New York, Robitaille's production would plummet, with 23 goals and 69 points in his first season there, then he'd struggle even more so in his second year there, with 48 points in 69 games, and was shipped back to LA for another flailing former superstar, Kevin Stevens.

Luc was 31 when the Kings reacquired him, and he missed a good chunk of games his first season back due to injuries, but he would have a bounce back season in 1998-99, netting 39 goals and 74 points. He'd follow that up with 36 goals and 74 points again, and in his last year here (before signing with Detroit), Luc would net 37 goals and 88 points.

He found a way to get better in his 30s. Teemu Selanne is another superstar who struggled for a few years, then came back strong after the 2004 lockout. Those are the two who immediately jump out at me.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Maybe Luc Robitaille?

He averaged over 40 goals per season and over a point per game every season up until the lockout. He was a hair under those numbers in Pittsburgh with 42 points in 46 games in the abbreviated 48-game 1994-95 season, and that would be his lone season in Pittsburgh. After being dealt to New York, Robitaille's production would plummet, with 23 goals and 69 points in his first season there, then he'd struggle even more so in his second year there, with 48 points in 69 games, and was shipped back to LA for another flailing former superstar, Kevin Stevens.

Luc was 31 when the Kings reacquired him, and he missed a good chunk of games his first season back due to injuries, but he would have a bounce back season in 1998-99, netting 39 goals and 74 points. He'd follow that up with 36 goals and 74 points again, and in his last year here (before signing with Detroit), Luc would net 37 goals and 88 points.

He found a way to get better in his 30s. Teemu Selanne is another superstar who struggled for a few years, then came back strong after the 2004 lockout. Those are the two who immediately jump out at me.

Selanne was the one I thought off, but looking at it it was really just one year he fell apart. His time in San Jose wasn't spectacular but he led the team in goals in 01-02 and 02-03 along with 54 points in 01-02 and led the team (44th in league) with 64 points in 02-03. 03-04 was the horrendous year with just 32pts in Colorado. Then came back with 90pts in 05-06. The San Jose time was down from 9 straight seasons over PPG to start his career so it was down though.

 

[DoktorJeep]

Amazing read. I won’t deny getting a little misty when reading that article. And I regret wanting Brown off the team before this season. Never been happier to have been wrong / impatient. Congrats to Brownie and family for passing his 1k game milestone, all with the Kings. He is the most important captain this franchise has ever had and has behaved as a true professional while representing the team and fans.

 

[Statto]

Gotta give some props to the much maligned Leiweke. That’s some good man management right there.

 

[kingsholygrail]

I hope he gets to retire as a King.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Maybe Luc Robitaille?

He averaged over 40 goals per season and over a point per game every season up until the lockout. He was a hair under those numbers in Pittsburgh with 42 points in 46 games in the abbreviated 48-game 1994-95 season, and that would be his lone season in Pittsburgh. After being dealt to New York, Robitaille's production would plummet, with 23 goals and 69 points in his first season there, then he'd struggle even more so in his second year there, with 48 points in 69 games, and was shipped back to LA for another flailing former superstar, Kevin Stevens.

Luc was 31 when the Kings reacquired him, and he missed a good chunk of games his first season back due to injuries, but he would have a bounce back season in 1998-99, netting 39 goals and 74 points. He'd follow that up with 36 goals and 74 points again, and in his last year here (before signing with Detroit), Luc would net 37 goals and 88 points.

He found a way to get better in his 30s. Teemu Selanne is another superstar who struggled for a few years, then came back strong after the 2004 lockout. Those are the two who immediately jump out at me.

Robitaille isn't a bad name. Traded 3 times too. We wanted to see Brown traded at least 3 times the last couple years.

 

[Herby]

So perhaps we should thank Lieweke for Brown not being traded.

 

[TonySCV]

Fourteen years, two Stanley Cups, and over 1000 games WITH ONE TEAM.

One of the best LA has ever had.

 

[KINGS17]

Selanne was the one I thought off, but looking at it it was really just one year he fell apart. His time in San Jose wasn't spectacular but he led the team in goals in 01-02 and 02-03 along with 54 points in 01-02 and led the team (44th in league) with 64 points in 02-03. 03-04 was the horrendous year with just 32pts in Colorado. Then came back with 90pts in 05-06. The San Jose time was down from 9 straight seasons over PPG to start his career so it was down though.

Selanne was really helped by the lockout. It gave him a chance to fully rehabilitate a knee injury. He put in the work, and it paid off for him.

 

[USE Fi]

Selanne was really helped by the lockout. It gave him a chance to fully rehabilitate a knee injury. He put in the work, and it paid off for him.

In Selänne book Jets GM Paddock tells their doctor did small operation to his knee and informed that he thinks Selänne will not be able to use his speed more than 2-3 years and that is why Jets traded him.
His knee was operated in 2004 by his friend who happens to be world known doctor/surgeon and gave him 3 year and then he should end his career, too much wear and tear in his knee.

 

[Dueling Banjos]

Love Brown. Great read.

Enjoyed both LA Cups runs a lot, he was always that stand up Captain, strong presence. His production in the regular season of the 2014 Cup dropped off already but he elevated his game in the playoffs.

Kinda crazy but just noticed that you played only one quarter final series since the last Cup. I am optimistic about this season.

And i too hope he will retire as a King.

Edit: i wrote that comment when i was halfway through the article, finished it now. Truly one of if not the best i've red there and there are a lot of really good ones. Love the background stories, we don't get to hear them too often and only realize later how much of an impact some of those moments had.

 

[RangerFan23]

Assuming Brown's resurgence continues for the rest of the year and he remains a good player for the rest of his contract (even with regular regression), his career numbers will be pretty staggering (and all with the Kings). Coupled with the two Stanley cups as captain (and maybe a third with an "A") does he get his jersey retired?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

He definitely gets his jersey retired, without question or any doubt.

 

[Reaper45]

Assuming Brown's resurgence continues for the rest of the year and he remains a good player for the rest of his contract (even with regular regression), his career numbers will be pretty staggering (and all with the Kings). Coupled with the two Stanley cups as captain (and maybe a third with an "A") does he get his jersey retired?

100% retired.