T. J. Brodie Explained

Team:Chicago Blackhawks
Former Teams:Calgary Flames
Toronto Maple Leafs
League:NHL
Ntl Team:CAN
Position:Defence
Shoots:Left
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lb:183
Birth Date:7 June 1990
Birth Place:Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Draft:114th overall
Draft Year:2008
Draft Team:Calgary Flames
Career Start:2010

Thomas James Brodie (born June 7, 1990) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was a fourth round selection of the Calgary Flames, 114th overall, at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Brodie played four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) prior to turning professional in 2010. Internationally, he has represented Canada at the 2013 IIHF World Championship.

Personal

Brodie grew up in Ontario on the family farm located between Dresden and Chatham. His cousin, Ian Badder, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a child and underwent a life-saving double-lung transplant in 2011. In support, Brodie wore some stylish suits at the Catwalk for a Cure fashion show in July 2014 that raised more than $15,000 for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. He is also selling footwear with T. J. Brodie: Skate in Strides for Cystic Fibrosis. The Calgary Flames are helping him sell skate guards to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Canada.[1] Brodie is married to Amber DeBakker, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in October 2015.[2]

Playing career

Amateur

Brodie attended elementary school and high school in Chatham,[3] but played his minor hockey in the Dresden Minor Hockey Association.[4] In 2002, when he was 11 years old, he was invited to participate in the Toronto Maple Leafs Skills Challenge and participated in the accuracy shooting drill where he shot 4 for 4.[5] [6]

Brodie was selected by the Saginaw Spirit in the third round of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) priority selection in 2006, but opted out of the Cyclones program and spent the majority of the 2006–07 season with the Junior B Leamington Flyers, where he was voted the defensive rookie of the year and named to the rookie and first all-star teams in the Western Ontario Hockey League.[7] He also appeared in 20 games with the Spirit before moving up to the OHL full-time in the 2007–08 season. He appeared in all 68 games for the Spirit that year, scoring 30 points as a 17-year-old. Seeking an offensive defenceman, the Calgary Flames selected Brodie in the fourth round, 114th overall, at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.[8]

Brodie improved to 50 points in 2008–09 and was praised by his coaches as being one of the best all-around defencemen in the OHL.[9] His season earned the attention of Hockey Canada, which invited him to their summer evaluation camp for the 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[10] Brodie began the 2009–10 season in Saginaw but was traded to the Barrie Colts after 19 games as part of a four-player deal.[11] The Colts finished the year as the top-ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), but were defeated by the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL championship series.[12]

Professional

Calgary Flames

Entering his 20-year-old season, the Flames expected Brodie was ready to turn professional in 2010–11. The team praised the improvements he made to his game, and anticipated that he would join their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Abbotsford Heat. A strong showing at the team's rookie camp,[13] and performances in the main camp that impressed both his coaches and teammates,[14] resulted in Brodie earning a spot with the Flames to begin the season.[15] He appeared in three games, recording two penalty minutes, before being assigned to Abbotsford.[16] TJ Brodie and New York Islanders player Josh Ho-Sang both have chosen to wear sweater #66, after Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Mario Lemieux, in a regular season game.[17]

Brodie established himself as one of the Heat's top scorers and was considered one of the team's top prospects. Brodie's play was such that he was named the team's lone representative at the 2011 AHL All-Star Game.[18] He finished the year as Abbotsford's leading scorer amongst defencemen, and tied for second on the team overall, with 34 points. He led the Heat in assists with 29.[19]

Brodie began the 2011–12 season in Abbotsford, but an injury to Anton Babchuk led to his recall by the Flames on November 11, 2011.[20] He scored his first NHL point by assisting on a goal by Lee Stempniak against the Chicago Blackhawks on November 18.[21] Brodie's first NHL goal nine days later against goaltender Niklas Bäckström of the Minnesota Wild when an attempted pass to Tim Jackman was deflected into the goal.[22] Brodie played 54 games in his first NHL season, scoring 14 points.[23]

Due to the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Brodie began the 2012–13 season in Abbotsford. He scored 20 points in 35 games with the Heat before NHL play resumed. Finishing the season with the Flames, he scored 2 goals and 14 points in 47 games.[24] He emerged as one of the Flames' top defencemen, averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game and earning an invitation to join Team Canada at the 2013 IIHF World Championship.[25] Brodie appeared in seven games and recorded one assist for Canada, who were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the tournament.[26] A restricted free agent following the season, Brodie signed a two-year, $4.25 million contract extension with the Flames.[27] He began the 2013–14 season alongside Mark Giordano as the Flames' top defensive pairing.[28] On October 20, 2014, the Flames signed Brodie to a five-year, $23.25 million contract extension worth $4.65 million annually.[29]

Before the 2015–16 season opener, Brodie broke his right hand and was sidelined for five weeks.[30] He returned for an away game against the Ottawa Senators, which the Flames lost 5–4 in a shootout. In the game, Brodie logged 25:10 of ice time, the third-highest total on the team. [31]

On February 3, 2017 Brodie achieved his first four-point game, coming against the New Jersey Devils in a 4–3 overtime win.[32]

On October 7, 2017, Brodie scored his second multi-point game. It was also the second time in his career he's had a four-point game, though the first time they were all assists.[33]

Toronto Maple Leafs

On October 9, 2020, after spending the first 10 years of his NHL career with the Calgary Flames, Brodie left the club as a free agent and was signed to a four-year, $20 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.[34] The Leafs also added other veteran presences to their lineup including Joe Thornton and Wayne Simmonds prior to the start of the shortened 2020–21 NHL season.[35]

Brodie played limited games during the 2022–23 season due to various injuries. He pulled himself out of the lineup during warmups on November 12 and was later diagnosed with an oblique injury.[36] He missed 12 games to recover before returning to the lineup on December 8 prior to a game against the Los Angeles Kings. During his absence, the Maple Leafs maintained a record of 9–0–3.[37] However, his return to the lineup was shortlived as he was placed on injured reserve on January 10 due to a rib issue.[38] He was activated off injured reserve nearly two weeks later on January 29.[39]

Chicago Blackhawks

At the conclusion of his four-year tenure with the Maple Leafs, Brodie left as a free agent and was signed to a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on July 1, 2024.[40]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

  Regular season Playoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2006–07Leamington FlyersWOHL4383846104512312
2006–07Saginaw SpiritOHL200442330112
2007–08Saginaw SpiritOHL68426307340332
2008–09Saginaw SpiritOHL631238506783698
2009–10Saginaw SpiritOHL194192320
2009–10Barrie ColtsOHL463303338171141514
2010–11Calgary FlamesNHL30002
2010–11Abbotsford HeatAHL685293432
2011–12Abbotsford HeatAHL1212310
2011–12Calgary FlamesNHL542121416
2012–13Abbotsford HeatAHL351192022
2012–13Calgary FlamesNHL47212148
2013–14Calgary FlamesNHL814273120
2014–15Calgary FlamesNHL8111304130111450
2015–16Calgary FlamesNHL706394518
2016–17Calgary FlamesNHL82630362440442
2017–18Calgary FlamesNHL734283218
2018–19Calgary FlamesNHL79925342452026
2019–20Calgary FlamesNHL654151936101346
2020–21Toronto Maple LeafsNHL56113141271124
2021–22Toronto Maple LeafsNHL82424283470226
2022–23Toronto Maple LeafsNHL5821214141103312
2023–24Toronto Maple LeafsNHL78125264010000
NHL totals90856292348294565172236

International

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Brodie on guard against CF . Chathamdailynews.ca . September 4, 2014.
  2. Web site: Calgary Flames defenceman T.J. Brodie's fiancée is putting MS on ice . Global News . October 15, 2016.
  3. Web site: Brodie wore Maple Leaf with pride at world championship . Chatham Daily News . 2012-05-28 . 2013-12-12 . Mark . Malone.
  4. News: Malone . Mark . Brodie grateful for support in Dresden . Chatham Daily News . 2013-08-27 . 2014-04-03.
  5. Web site: Dubas: Top pairing D-man Brodie was on Leafs' radar 'for a long time'. Kristen. Shilton. October 9, 2020. TSN.
  6. Web site: TJ Brodie stole the show at the Leafs Skills Competition when he was a kid. October 9, 2020. TSN BarDown.
  7. Web site: Brodie claims top honors with Leamington . Saginaw Spirit Hockey Club (via oursportscentral.com) . 2007-02-23 . 2010-10-04.
  8. Web site: Brodie's climb could land him in Calgary . National Hockey League . 2010-09-14 . 2010-10-04.
  9. Web site: Austin . Kyle . Saginaw Spirit defenseman T.J. Brodie has offensive mindset . Michigan Live . 2009-10-02 . 2010-10-04.
  10. Web site: Sportak . Randy . All work, no play for T.J. . https://archive.today/20120714041948/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Sportak/2009/07/23/pf-10232941.html . usurped . July 14, 2012 . Calgary Sun . 2009-07-23 . 2010-10-04.
  11. Web site: Bernreuter . Hugh . Saginaw Spirit trade T.J. Brodie and Nick Crawford to Barrie Colts . Michigan Live . 2009-11-09 . 2010-10-04.
  12. Web site: Shantz . Ian . Spitfires broom top-ranked Colts . London Free Press . 2010-05-05 . 2010-10-04.
  13. Web site: Brodie turns heads at Flames camp . Windsor Star . 2010-09-21 . 2010-10-04.
  14. Web site: Cruickshank . Scott . Brodie continues to earn kudos at Flames camp . Calgary Herald . 2010-09-28 . 2010-10-04.
  15. Web site: MacFarlane . Steve . Brodie beating the odds to play in major league . Chatham Daily News . 2010-10-06 . 2010-10-07 . https://archive.today/20120724203325/http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2787336 . July 24, 2012 . dead . mdy-all .
  16. Web site: Sportak . Randy . AHL good for Brodie long-term . https://archive.today/20120717130040/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Sportak/2010/10/20/15758871.html . usurped . July 17, 2012 . Calgary Sun . 2010-10-20 . 2010-10-25.
  17. Web site: Joshua Ho-Sang says wearing No. 66 'ultimate respect' . NHL.com . March 7, 2017 . November 5, 2017.
  18. Web site: Kinvig . Dan . Brodie picked for AHL all-star game . Abbotsford News . 2011-01-11 . 2011-02-03 .
  19. Book: 2011–12 Calgary Flames Official Yearbook . Calgary Flames Hockey Club . 2011 . 42.
  20. Web site: Flames recall T.J. Brodie from Abbotsford . Calgary Flames Hockey Club . 2011-11-09 . 2011-12-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111112061138/http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=599877 . November 12, 2011 . dead . mdy-all .
  21. Web site: Flames score season-high 5 goals, snap Blackhawks' streak . https://web.archive.org/web/20111126144906/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=400047394 . dead . November 26, 2011 . ESPN . 2011-11-18 . 2011-11-18.
  22. News: MacFarlane . Steve . Brodie on board . https://archive.today/20120714000810/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Calgary/2011/11/29/19032316.html . usurped . July 14, 2012 . Calgary Herald . 2011-11-29 . 2011-12-10.
  23. Web site: TJ Brodie player card . National Hockey League . 2013-08-01.
  24. News: Flames sign T.J. Brodie to 2-year deal . Canadian Broadcasting Corporation . 2013-07-31 . 2013-08-01.
  25. News: Hall . Vicki . TJ Brodie to play for Canada at 2013 IIHF . Calgary Herald . 2013-04-29 . D4.
  26. News: TJ Brodie returns home from World Championships . Chatham-Kent Daily Post . 2013-05-29 . 2013-08-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130831025931/http://ckdp.ca/2013/05/29/tj-brodie-returns-home-from-world-championships/ . August 31, 2013 . dead . mdy-all .
  27. News: Odland . Kristen . Flames want Brodie to prove himself . Calgary Herald . 2013-08-01 . F3.
  28. News: Gilbertson . Wes . Brodie skates into spotlight . Calgary Sun . 2013-10-03 . S3.
  29. Web site: Flames sign TJ Brodie to multi-year contract.
  30. Web site: Flames' T.J. Brodie to miss 3-6 weeks with broken bone in hand . CBC Sports . Sep 23, 2015.
  31. Web site: Flames' Brodie returns from hand injury . Chathamdailynews.ca . October 29, 2015.
  32. Web site: Brodie's 4 assists lead Flames' OT comeback over Devils . CBS Sports . February 3, 2017.
  33. Web site: BRODIE 'UNBELIEVABLE' . NHL.com . October 8, 2017.
  34. Web site: Maple Leafs Sign TJ Brodie . National Hockey League . February 27, 2023 . October 9, 2020.
  35. Web site: Marner says new veterans on Maple Leafs can 'keep us in line' . National Hockey League . February 27, 2023 . December 20, 2020.
  36. Web site: Alter . David . TJ Brodie Explains Oblique Injury, When he Will Return to Maple Leafs Lineup . Sports Illustrated . February 27, 2023 . December 5, 2022.
  37. Web site: Fox . Luke . T.J. Brodie returns to streaking Maple Leafs: 'It's huge' . Sportsnet . February 27, 2023 . December 8, 2022.
  38. Web site: Maple Leafs defenceman TJ Brodie back on IR with rib issue . Canadian Broadcasting Corporation . February 27, 2023 . January 10, 2023.
  39. Web site: Maple Leafs activate T.J. Brodie off IR, no timeline for Matt Murray's ankle injury . Sportsnet . February 27, 2023 . January 29, 2023.
  40. Web site: Blackhawks sign T. J. Brodie . . July 1, 2024 . July 1, 2024 .