Dustin Brown took some time, from the NHL Awards in Las Vegas, to chat about winning the NHL Foundation Player Award, in recognition of his charity and volunteer work. You can read by story on LAKings.com by clicking here, and Brown’s comments are also printed below…
Question: Clearly, you don’t do charity work in order to win awards, but to be recognized like this, what does it mean to you?
BROWN: “You kind of hit the nail on the head there. You don’t really do this type of thing to try to get recognized. You do it because it’s the right thing to do, and when you get recognized for something like that, it’s a big honor. But at the end of the day, the most rewarding part of it all is just giving your time and giving back. A lot of the stuff that I’ve been doing has been with kids. I can have a huge impact on their lives just by giving an hour or two of my time, here and there. You can ask any of the players, when we do that (children’s) hospital visit, they’re all on board and real excited to do it. So it’s not just me, or the Kings. There are plenty of players throughout the league that are pretty active. I think it speaks very well to the type of people who are involved in our game.”
Question: Four years ago, you signed the big contract extension. Two years ago, you got named captain. Did those two things motivate you to get more involved in the community here, knowing that you were really going to be putting down roots in Los Angeles?
BROWN: “That was part of it. Knowing that I loved L.A., and being in L.A. and that my wife and family enjoyed L.A. as well, I think it was important to take on that responsibility of being charitable and raising up awareness of issues that effect a lot of people. As pro athletes, we live pretty good lives, so for me to give back a little bit and try to lead the way, maybe it encourages more of my teammates to do more of that stuff. It goes a long way toward creating a family community within the Kings organization. Our owners are pretty highly charitable as well, so you can kind of follow their lead with a lot of stuff that they do, in and around the L.A. area. It’s pretty phenomenal. So, it’s just one of those things where I love being in L.A. and I want to have an effect on not only the hockey world but where I live, and where my kids will grow up, and make it a positive environment.”
About time…CONRGATZ BROWNIE!
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Congratualtions Brownie…you are an outstanding example of what a sportman should be. Nicole as well.
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Just another reason why he is our captain. Congrats Brownie!!!
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Nice to see an athlete give back and be a real role models for our kids. I know they are not looking for recognition but its nice to hear about these stories instead of all the DUI’s, sexual assaults, gun charges, and all the other crap the media loves to report.
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Go brown u deserved it..Lets get that title next season its our turn to have it
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KaBOOM! Congratulations Captain Brown…
gKg!
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This is EXACTLY why he’s our Captain! WELL DONE BROWNIE!
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He might be great off the ice, but on the ice he is average. I would trade Brown including a prospect for Mike Richards in a heart beat with no questions asked.
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Peter90210 Reply:
June 22nd, 2011 at 10:35 pm
@Shaun, That’s why you’re not sitting at Lombardi’s desk…….
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wes Reply:
June 22nd, 2011 at 11:51 pm
@Shaun, “He might be great off the ice, but on the ice he is average”
i’d soft sell it if it made any sense, but that’s a doofus blurt.
Brown has led his team in goals scored 2 of the last 4 years (2nd and 3rd the other two) and leads the league in penalties drawn/ penalty +/- (– power plays created for his team–) nearly every year since he started getting regular minutes. This obviously holds a connection to the fact that Brown ranks with the league’s top hitters statistically every year. He takes opponents out of their game– set a league record for hits in a season (sense broken by Clutterbuck). he’s the kind of multi-dimensional guy that “fills the stat sheet” as has been observed. a somewhat lesser Iginla (which is hardly an insult given that Iginla is a HoF first ballot lock!).
one school of criticism wonders if Brown’s level of effort isn’t perhaps (get this)– _too_ high! if it’s true, don’t expect any coach to get very fussy about it!
and that’s “average”, Shaun?
Well, it’s apparent that you’ve never played hockey.
– doubtful that you know how to watch it.
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CB14 Reply:
June 22nd, 2011 at 11:58 pm
@wes, Yeah but…………………………………………….I got nothin. Brownies great. Great post wes.
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Marc Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 2:32 am
@Shaun,
Wow, way to crap on his accomplishment. I guess some people can’t help themselves.
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nykingfan Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:59 am
@Shaun,
Real good time to post a negative about Brownie.
There’s not a team in the NHL that he wouldn’t be playing a top 6 forward spot for in the NHL.
There’s now ay I would want him traded.
Man, is there anyone you wouldn’t trade on the Kings for someone else’s player? Especially one with head issues.
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DesertKing Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 7:26 am
@nykingfan,
Totally agree and worse yet, it was an inaccurate “negative” as prvoen by the other posters. Brownie isn’t a “flashy” player, he just goes out there and does his job, does it well and doesn’t seek the personal limelight.
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Stuart Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 9:42 am
@Shaun, bad timing Shaun… even I, for all the criticism I’ve heaped on here about our C, wasn’t going to say anything other than:
CONGRATS DB on the well deserved recognition!! It touched the heart-strings to know that you are willing and care enough to donate the time and energy that you do to touch the lives of those in need or in difficult situations. The world would be better served with more people with your selfless outlook!
Thank you Brownie.
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puck73 Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 9:46 am
@Shaun, I think its pretty safe to say that after that award winning post, you are about as popular as a certain Newport Beach Resident who has a radio show in Riverside.
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Congratulations to the NHL for recognizing one of our own.
Congratulations to Brown on not using the word “obviously” and forcing fans to mentally breakdown and cry.
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Dustin is a Man among men.
Well spoken but leads by example.
GKG!
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Grace always comes back around. I was really worried when TM made him captain while he was still in phase A. In hind sight it was a tremendous selection, and one of the many reasons the Kings are a 100 point team.
I love Brown and I love how he is leading this team. Congrats
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Hoso Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 1:16 am
Hi was capitan before TM came to KINGS
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Hockey G Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 3:57 am
@Hoso, Actually, Rob Blake was captain and Lubo and Cami were the Assistant Captains. The three of them left the Kings the year TM came in and after training camp TM name Brown captain and Kopi and Greener Assistan Captains.
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Congrats to Brownie, a class act on and off the ice….
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There is Hockey.
And there is Life.
Brownie succeeds at both.
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The best man won! keep up the good work on and off the ice Brownie.
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“Knowing that I loved L.A., and being in L.A. and that my wife and family enjoyed L.A. as well…”
Loves LA also!
Congrats on the award
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Is it me or did the NHL hire the nerd band from the revenge of the nerds god that was painful to watch.
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Dominick Reply:
June 22nd, 2011 at 7:57 pm
@Hockeyfan B4 Gretzky,
Can’t believe somebody actually thought that would be cool to put on a hockey awards show. Maybe their trying to appeal to maore 14 year old girls.
Couldn’t be, because my daughters 14 and she thought it was the back up band for Boy Goerge.
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CB14 Reply:
June 22nd, 2011 at 8:14 pm
@Dominick, If they want to appeal to 14 year old girls they should’ve had Beiber on. He is Canadian after all. On second thought, scratch that. I wouldn’t be able to watch the show if that no talent excuse for a singer kid were on it.
How would a 14 year old girl know who Boy George is? Is that her Dad’s favorite musician? LOL! JK.
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Dominick Reply:
June 22nd, 2011 at 8:35 pm
@CB14,
She has an alternative lifestyle neighbor, who is really nice, and I call him Boy Goerge to agitate her. LOL
CB14 Reply:
June 22nd, 2011 at 10:30 pm
@Dominick, That’s funny!
DesertKing Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 8:02 am
@CB14,
If they wanted to appeal to Canadiens, they should have had “Terrence and Phillip” on the show.
penguin76 Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 11:06 am
@CB14,
“…How would a 14 year old girl know who Boy George is?”
right!?!?! that was my first thought when i read that. my niece is 15 and wouldn’t know Boy George if he was sitting next to her on a bus! he did say how she knows of him though, funny.
Congrats Dustin, a true leader on and off the ice. Glad he’s our Captain!
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Another note, do the Sedin Sisters do EVERYTHING together? They were nominated for the foundation award TOGETHER. What the heck? Are they the same person, or are they married to each other? Not that there’s anything wrong with that, well I guess there is since they’re brothers and all. For all I know that might be legal in Canada. LOL, Just Kidding Canadians. I understand wanting to play on the same team, but come on, some of the stuff about them is a little off. I know they’re identicle twins, but why do they have the same facial hair? It’s just weird IMO. I went to high school with 3 sets of identicle twins, and all of them purpously dressed differently, had different types of hair cuts, and the set of girls had different hair colors. Mabye it’s just me, but I wouldn’t want to look just like my identicle brother.
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Ravens Reply:
June 22nd, 2011 at 8:36 pm
@CB14, there is actually onle one of them, as witnessed by millions in the Cup finals, he must use mirrors
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CB14 Reply:
June 22nd, 2011 at 11:10 pm
@Ravens, That explains why he didn’t react at all while being punched in the face 6 straight times by Brad Marchand in the finals, it was his mirror!
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RLane420 Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 7:32 am
@Ravens, LOL
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Oh Boy ….that show and it’s musical guests needs some serious tweaking….
Do you think they got the awards right?
Who do you think got robbed or didn’t deserve the award…
Some were right on ,but others…Huuum..
Hanson brothers were great…
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Ravens Reply:
June 22nd, 2011 at 8:37 pm
@SLIM, We got robbed by the musical director
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#1faninvegas Reply:
June 22nd, 2011 at 8:41 pm
@SLIM,
I felt everyone got the award that should have got it. The only award I was upset at, was the NHL GM of the Year Award.
That award should have gone to Steve Yzerman, from taking a Tampa Bay team, that was in the bottom of the well, to a Stanley Cup contending team in one year, deserves the award, not Mike Gillis who had many years to improve the team!
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Ravens Reply:
June 22nd, 2011 at 8:42 pm
@#1faninvegas, I agree with you on that
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#1faninvegas Reply:
June 22nd, 2011 at 8:45 pm
@Ravens,
I actually booed at the TV and yelled many explictives when that award was announced. I even called my friend and yelled about how stupid of a decision that was.
CB14 Reply:
June 22nd, 2011 at 10:56 pm
@#1faninvegas, But Mike Gilles drafted the Sedin Sisters, drafted Ryan Kesler, drafted Alex Burrows, and traded for Roberto Luongo back when he was actually good. What’s that you say? He didin’t do any of those things? Well then nevermind. Wait I’ve got it, he traded for Keith Ballard, so there, take that. Oh, the same Keith Ballard who played in 1 game in the Stanley Cup Finals. Well it’s not like they gave up anyone good to get him so who cares. Huh, what did you just say? So you’re telling me he traded Michael Grabner for Ballard? Plus he gave up a 1st round pick, and Steve Bernier. I don’t believe that for one second. You’re just making that stuff up.
Sincerly, the Mike Gilles for NHL Executive of the year fan club.
P.S. At least he didn’t sign Luongo to that horrible contract. So he’s got that goin for him, which is nice. Huh? CRAP. Why the heck am I a part of this fan club? And why on Earth did he win?
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#1faninvegas Reply:
June 24th, 2011 at 12:46 pm
@CB14,
Are you ok? I’m kinda worried bout ya there!!!
Congratulations Brownie! Well deserved!
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If only the other Dustin on the team had half the heart that Brownie has.
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jet Reply:
June 22nd, 2011 at 10:18 pm
@rick, he may well know in oct.
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Congratulations! Well deserved and yet another example why I love hockey and hockey players.
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Brownie 100% on the ice and 100% off the ice truly a class act 100%
Congratulations Brownie and thanks.
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WTG Brown. Definately one of the most impressive awards of all. Proud day for the King’s organization. Especially coming from our captain. Congrats to Brown’s wife as well as I’m sure it’s just as much a result of her hard work as Dustin’s.
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Kopi was 9th in voting for Selke and 10th for Lady Byng, Doughty was tied for 10th in Norris, and Quick was tied for 8th in Vezina.
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Pesus Reply:
June 22nd, 2011 at 10:55 pm
@Osaka,
I dont want any king to win an award that starts with “lady”
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CB14 Reply:
June 22nd, 2011 at 10:59 pm
@Osaka, It’s a shame that Kopi was only 9th in Selke voting. He’s top 5 for sure.
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wes Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 12:16 am
@Osaka, nice to see Kopitar and Doughty “on the radar,” so to speak. Doughty @ #10 for the Norris is a bit generous and undoubtedly due in part to the fact that he was a pre-season media darling to win the Norris for the rest of his career. I expect he’ll bounce back, he has to know he underachieved (ridiculously at times) in 2010-11. Right?
Quick deserved a little better than #8 for the Vezina. Something in the 4-6 range would sound about right to me.
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TiredOfIt Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 1:16 am
@wes, Doughty’s game 2 against the Sharks was awesome though, thats all I remember
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Dominick Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 2:10 am
@Osaka,
Amazing that DD disappointed so many Kingsfans this past season to the point where fans began hurling insults at the guy, attacking his maturity, and demanding a trade. Yet he still managed to finnish top 10 for the Norris. That’s also out of like 300 defenseman who played this season in the NHL.
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KC23 Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 2:30 am
@Dominick, DD got much more critical posts than JJ. That just cracks me up. Wonder where JJ was in the Norris balloting.
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Osaka Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 5:02 am
@KC23, They love to build you up to tear you down.
As good as Lidstrom has been over his career, I would’ve given the Norris trophy to Shea Weber. Best player on his team, and completely dominates when he’s on the ice. Shuts it down, punishes everyone, and puts the biscuit in the basket. Should’ve won.
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Claude Julien read that Bobby Orr said he couldn’t play in the coach’s system because it was “too restrictive.” Julien laughed and said if he had Orr, “The system would apply to the other 19 guys, not him.”
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puck73 Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 9:51 am
@Osaka, Here here !
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How can Crybaby Perry win MVP when he took the 4th most minor penalties in the league on a mediocre penalty killing team in the Ducks? A guy who took a ton of dumb slashing and goalie interference penalties and had the same amount of penalties as Matt Cooke wins the Hart? Seriously? He’s not even the MVP of his team, that would be Hiller.
Kopi should have been at least nominated for the Selke or Lady Byng. He’s a great two way player and hardly ever takes penalties. Glad that Brownie finally got the award though.
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Stuart Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 9:47 am
@Bailey Fan, tremendous observation… jsut goes to show, scoring still rules the hearts of voters.
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puck73 Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 9:59 am
@Bailey Fan, I am as big a Kings fan as you will find on this site, and for you to say Perry isnt worthy is similar to some of the myopia certain Raider fans spew all the time. Perry not worthy huh? How bout 11 game winners this season ? How bout leading the league in goals ? How bout him picking up the slack when Getzlaf was injured ? Corey Perry not only has a goal scorers touch, but this guy will pay the price in front of the net. Dean Lombardi would trade for this guy in a second if he was available, and you would welcome him with open arms !
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Sebastian Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 10:38 am
@puck73, yeah, i hate the guy but he deserves it. its not easy to score 50 goals. congrats to him. quack quack!
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Michael_DD8 Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 10:39 am
@puck73,
Agree puck. Man, ive always hated Corey Ferry. However, he is one BEAST of a player. He sucks to play against, but just like puck said, AMAZING to have on your team. He knows how to get it done.
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Stuart Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 11:19 am
@puck73, I’m taking Bailey Fan at his stat’s word. If CP did take the 4th most minors in the league, then it needs to be looked at as to how many of those minors resulted in GA on the PP. No doubt the man can score and has touch, but the MVP needs to be the MOST VALUABLE without being the biggest detrimant (or one of them) on the team. But if MVP is given to the highest gaol scorer (along with the Richard Trophy) then I guess he deserved it and the two awards should just be melted down into one? No. He worked for the Richard and for that as Sebastian said, he deserved it, but the MVP too?
And BTW, I would take CP on the Kings in heart beat, although it would be right up there with a Celtic coming and playing for Lakers… it would take some getting to pull for him.
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Congrats Brownie.
Class act!
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If everyone had the heart that Brownie does, it would be a perfect world. Congratulations Brownie you make us proud to be Kings fans!!!
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Brownie’s the man! Gongrats buddy! there isnt a more deserving candidate and being born and raised in LA myself i appreciate it that much more since its my communities that are benefiting from a class act as he is.
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Congratz Brownie and Nicole. Looking forward to seeing you win more awards, a few cups and seeing you back in Vegas this October.
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Real proud to have this guy as a King. Way to go Brownie.
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congratulations Brown!
this makes me wonder, when was the last time a King won an award?
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Sebastian Reply:
June 23rd, 2011 at 10:36 am
@Sebastian, I’ll answer my own question
Jack Adams – Bob Pulford (75)
Calder – Luc (87)
Hart – Gretzky (89)
Art Ross – Gretzky (94)
Lady Bing – Gretzky (94)
Norris – Blake (98)
So 13 years since a King won a major award.
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He’s a cool cat in my book…congrats to him.
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What can Brown do for you?
He says, “it’s not just me, or the Kings. There are plenty of players throughout the league . . .” and dishes out praise and encouragement to all who roll up there sleeves and get on with doing the right thing. It’s not original at this point, but i have to echo that Brown is ‘a man among men.’ It amazes me the way some cranks can hate on Brown. It takes all kinds, as they say.
So we know the names on the LAK roster that are supposed to/ expected to provide the offense: Brown, Kopitar, Penner, and Williams. Here’s what they’ve done lately (over the last four regular seasons):
Kopitar 118 goals.
Brown 109 goals.
Penner 95 goals.
Williams 45 goals.
Contrary to certain strange sentiments, Brown’s no slouch with the puck on his stick, yet that’s only one facet of his game. The guy’s a penalty magnet for opponents like nobody else in hockey. Ever see the video clip of Ovechkin-Brown? This isn’t a highlight compilation, it’s just Dustin Brown being Dustin Brown.
Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZKRizzYshk
that is one classy athlete
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Thanks for paying it forward
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LOL was I ever so close to being right about Mike Richards. Well if I had the opportunity of dealing Brown + Voynov+ Matt Greene for Zach Parise I would do it in a heart beat. Again guys its about finishing the plays and Brown has been know to be up there with Clutterbuck in hits. Hits do not win you games, but scoring and have the hands of a Zach Parise does.
I welcome your comments. Thanks a bunch guys!!
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Has Brown called your mother names? interesting that you have so many ‘no questions asked’ desires to lose him ‘in a heartbeat’. I’m doubting that you’re heart’s beating desire will materialize, although this trade proposal makes more sense. Parise would require some pretty handsome collateral. But unless Schenn turns out to be a Ross Trophy kind of guy, Simmonds + Schenn for Richards is likely an equitable trade, certainly a good one in terms of the next couple of Kings’ campaigns. But Richards for Brown (with presumably a lesser but still promising prospect) would be a different kind of thing. A treading of water– or worse. They’ve put up similar goal scoring numbers, Richards has put up more assists in a more conducive setting, Brown has handed his team more man advantages. Both are leadership guys. Roughly a wash, so I’ll descent from the view that you were ‘ever so close to being right.’ That trade would have been puzzling, it wasn’t going to happen.
As to the argument that ‘hits don’t win you games’—there are many instances in which that argument is wrong, and many of Brown’s hits have proven it wrong. DB’s frequent hits often result _immediately_ in Kings’ power plays (retaliatory slashes, crosschecks, trips, etc, perhaps you’ve never noticed this because you dislike Brown). But Brown may not even be on the ice 90 seconds into the ensuing PP when a teammate scores on the man advantage, and while one can take the attention deficit opinion that the goal had no important causal context, they would be wrong. This exact storyline—DB rocks opponent/ opponent takes penalty giving LA a PP– takes place more games than not. Unfortunately, in the second half of the past season, the Kings PP too rarely made opponents pay the price.
Anyway, we can disagree about Brown’s value to this team. But if there are three guys on this roster that DL has not had any interest in trading, DB is one of them.
However, we’ll agree, dare I say, “in a heart beat,’ that Parise would look far better in a Kings jersey.
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