Tim Brent, Toronto Maple Leafs: Who Is This Guy?

With the regular season just over a week away, speculation is swirling that Tim Brent, a relatively unknown player, has all but secured his place on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster as the third line center.

For Maple Leaf fans, Brent’s rise comes with mixed emotions as many fans were hoping that rookie forward Nazem Kadri, who has been criticized by management for his paltry play thus far in the preseason, would emerge as the team’s No. 2 or No. 3 center.

Brent, who hails from Cambridge, Ontario, honed his craft in the OHL as a member of the St. Michael’s Majors from 2000 through 2003, amassing a total of 78 goals, 142 assists, and a +50 rating in 238 career OHL games.

Originally drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft (37^th overall), Brent followed his OHL career up bouncing around different AHL venues, including Cincinnati, Portland, WB Scranton, and Rockford, where he has registered a total of 87 goals and 223 points through 302 AHL games.

Along the way Brent (who is set to earn $525,000 this season) managed to play in 19 NHL games, registering one assist and a minus six rating.

Known as a defensively responsible, shut-down player with the ability to step up in an offensive role, Brent had a decent season with the Maple Leafs AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, last season, registering 13 goals, 28 points, and a plus two rating in his short, yet successful 33 game stint with the baby Leafs.

Now, with a strong training camp behind him, it appears as if the 6’0”, 188 pound, 26-year-old center will get a shot to show off his game at the NHL level, at least until Kadri is deemed ready by management, which, if you listen to Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke and head coach Ron Wilson’s comments, may be a while yet.

Until next time,

Peace!