Connor Brown named to AHL All-Rookie Team

The American Hockey League announced its all-rookie team this afternoon, and to the surprise of few, included Toronto Marlies forward Connor Brown.

Brown has been arguably the most pleasant surprise in the Leafs’ prospect pool this season. While he had an incredibly impressive 2013/14 season (his Draft+2 year) with the Erie Otters, questions arose as to whether he could do it while on the younger side of a professional roster.

So far, he’s more than risen to the occasion. In 70 games played, Brown has scored 18 goals and added 39 assists, good for a 17 point lead in team scoring and twelfth in the league. His 57 points are also the most by any rookie in the league, slightly ahead of Charles Hudon of the Hamilton Bulldogs.

With six games remaining in the season, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Brown becomes the first rookie in Marlies history to hit 60 points. In the meantime, he joins the aforementioned Hudon, Milwaukee’s Viktor Arvidsson, Bridgport’s Ryan Pulock, Rockford’s Ville Pokka, and Wilkes-Barre’s Matt Murray in getting recognized.

According to Kyle Cicerella, Troy Bodie will miss the remainder of the regular season with a hand injury suffered on April 1st. As well, Jamie Devane has undergone hip surgery and will not return this season.