Dustin Brown to be inducted into U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

Retire From The Game Of Hockey – Check
Number Retired By The LA Kings – Check
Inducted Into U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame – Coming Soon!

Dustin Brown has had quite the eventful year and a half since he announced his retirement from the game of hockey at the conclusion of the 2021-22 NHL season. Following Game 7 in Edmonton, Brown hung up his skates officially after a career that spanned nearly 1,400 games in the NHL between the regular season and playoffs. Seven months after his final game, Brown’s number was officially retired by the Kings during a ceremony this past February. Earlier this morning, he added a new honor to his already impressive resume, as Brown was announced as one of this year’s inductees into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Brown will officially be inducted in December, the latest in a line of inductees with Kings ties. Recently, Tony Granato was inducted in 2020 and now Brown will join him when things become official on December 6 in Boston. Brown will be joined by Brian Burke, Katie King Crowley, Jamie Langenbrunner and Brian Murphy as the Class of 2023.

With 1,296 games played in the NHL, Brown ranks seventh all-time amongst US skaters. Just 10 American forwards all-time have played in 1,200 or more games and scored 300 or more goals, with Brown among that group. Brown also ranks in the Top 20 all-time in power-play goals and overtime goals. He was the second US-born captain to win the Stanley Cup and the first and only to do so twice. Brown won the NHL Foundation Award in 2011 and the Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2014. One of the most accomplished American players statistically and one of the most decorated from a hardware standpoint. I’ve also been told he bodychecked one of the Sedin brothers one time.

Internationally, Brown skated in two Olympics (2010 and 2014), winning a silver medal in 2010, as well as four World Championships and two World Juniors, winning a bronze medal at the WC level in 2004. He was a part of the leadership group with both Olympic squads and was Captain America during the 2009 World Championships. One of the great US-born leaders and another worthy recognition.

Mike Trimboli, USA Hockey President
It’s an amazing Class and a group that truly reflects extraordinary. Their accomplishments are varied and far-reaching, and the positive impact they’ve had on the game — and will continue to have — will no doubt benefit generations to come.

From USA Hockey’s Release –

A two-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time Olympian, Dustin Brown (Ithaca, N.Y.) had a remarkable career that included 18 seasons playing in the National Hockey League.

Brown totaled 1,296 regular-season games in the NHL, the seventh most of any American ever, and played the entirety of his NHL career with the Los Angeles Kings. He recorded 712 career regular-season points (325G, 387A) in the NHL and added 49 points (19G, 30A) in 92 playoff games.

Brown, who was drafted 13th overall by Los Angeles in 2003, served as captain of the Kings from 2008-16, leading the franchise to its first-ever Stanley Cup championship in 2012. He tied for most playoff points and became the second American captain in NHL history to lead a team to the Stanley Cup. Brown also played an integral role in helping the Kings to a second Stanley Cup victory in 2014.

During his tenure, Brown recorded five-straight 20-goal and 50-point seasons from 2007-12 and sits as the Kings all-time leader in games played. The Ithaca, New York, native was a physical presence throughout his career and was the NHL’s all-time leader in hits at the time of his retirement.

Brown was a regular on the international stage for Team USA, highlighted by helping the U.S. earn a silver medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver where he served as an alternate captain. Brown also played in the 2014 Olympics where the U.S. finished fourth. The forward also competed in four IIHF Men’s World Championships, including in 2004 when the U.S. earned bronze, and in two IIHF World Junior Championships.

Brown’s impact on the ice was as great as his impact off the ice. In 2011, he received the NHL Foundation Player Award for his charitable involvement in Los Angeles. Following his second Stanley Cup victory in 2014, Brown was named the recipient of the Mark Messier Leadership Award, given annually to the NHL player who “exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice during the regular season.”

Prior to his professional career, Brown played for Ithaca High School before joining the Guelph Storm of the OHL. During the 2012-13 NHL lockout, Brown had a stint with the ZSC Lions in Switzerland’s National League.

Brown retired from the NHL following the 2021-22 season after finishing his 18th season with L.A. In February 2023, the Kings retired his number and unveiled a statue of him the lives outside Crypto.com Arena, the home of the Kings.