WATERLOO, Ont. -- The Telford Tigers of the National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) have signed former Golden Hawks forward Patrick Brown to a standard player contract.
"I am extremely excited to sign my first professional contract with the Telford Tigers. This is something that I have been striving for since I began my time here at Laurier, so to see it finally become a reality is pretty surreal," said Brown.
"We couldn't be happier for Patrick. He set this goal for himself back when I first met him here three years ago and has worked hard on and off the ice to get there," manager of men's hockey operations and head coach Kevin Forrest said.
"He's a first-class young man whose character is just as much a factor as his abilities in getting to the pros now. He's made such a positive impact here at Laurier that's reached beyond the rink. We're excited to follow this next chapter in his life."
Brown was named captain of the Laurier men's hockey team for the 2024-25 season, and over his four-year career as a Golden Hawk, he played 105 games with 21 goals and 44 assists for 65 points.
Brown spoke on his time with the program, saying, "Throughout my time here at Laurier I could not have asked for a better experience. Being able to go to the rink every day and compete with my teammates both present and past allowed me to be in this kind of position to further my career."
"The culture among the hockey team in my four years here has been second to none, which I think speaks volumes to the kind of guys our team has. I wouldn't be able to do this without those guys. So, a huge shoutout goes out to all the teammates I was able to play with throughout my time at Laurier."
Prior to joining the Golden Hawks, Brown spent two seasons with the OHL's North Bay Battalion from 2017-19, afterwards playing 50 games with the Collingwood Colts before heading out east to play the 2020-21 season with the Fredericton Red Wings where he averaged almost a point per game.
The NIHL is the second tier of British hockey with the Tigers playing in the Planet Ice National League, the top division of the NIHL. Telford finished eighth in league play with a 22-32 record.
"England is a league I'm familiar with and I know he will have some good success there as he starts his pro journey," said Forrest
Brown is set to join four Canadians currently on the Tigers roster with the 2025-26 season beginning in September.
