Bracken Kearns
Encyclopedia
Bracken Kearns is a Canadian
professional ice hockey
player who is currently playing for the Florida Panthers
in the National Hockey League
. Kearns, who started his professional career in 2005 with the Toledo Storm
in the ECHL
, played 428 games in the minors before playing his first game in the NHL.
in 2005 with a degree in economics, was captain of the Calgary Dinos men's ice hockey
team.
during the 2005–06 ECHL season. He spent the entire 2006–07 season
in the American Hockey League
(AHL) with Milwaukee Admirals
. During the 2007–08 season, he played 53 games in the AHL with the Norfolk Admirals
and also played 17 games in the ECHL with the Reading Royals
. He played AHL hockey for the next two years with Norfolk and the Rockford IceHogs
.
On July 27, 2010, Kearns was signed as a free agent by the Phoenix Coyotes
who assigned him to their AHL affiliate in San Antonio for the start of the 2010–11 AHL season
.
with the Florida Panthers
. On October 20, 2011, at the age of 30, Kearns made his NHL debut with the Panthers playing seven shifts for 6:30 of ice time in a 3–0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres
.
Kearns is the second oldest player to make his NHL debut with the Panthers, behind only Magnus Svensson
who made his NHL debut with Florida in 1995 at the age of 32.
, a retired All-Star defenceman for the Vancouver Canucks
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player who is currently playing for the Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. Kearns, who started his professional career in 2005 with the Toledo Storm
Toledo Storm
The Toledo Storm was a minor league professional ice hockey team in the ECHL from 1991 to 2007. The Storm played their home games at the venerable Toledo Sports Arena along the southern banks of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio. The team colors were red and white, similar to the Detroit Red Wings,...
in the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
, played 428 games in the minors before playing his first game in the NHL.
Amateur
Kearns, who graduated from the University of CalgaryUniversity of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a public research university located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1966 the U of C is composed of 14 faculties and more than 85 research institutes and centres.More than 25,000 undergraduate and 5,500 graduate students are currently...
in 2005 with a degree in economics, was captain of the Calgary Dinos men's ice hockey
Calgary Dinos men's ice hockey
The Calgary Dinos men's ice hockey team represent the University of Calgary in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport . The current head coach is Mark Howell who was named the CIS Coach of the year for the 2010-11 season. He is assisted by Cory Cross, Brad Isbister, and Brad Kirkwood....
team.
Professional
Kearns made his professional debut with the Toledo StormToledo Storm
The Toledo Storm was a minor league professional ice hockey team in the ECHL from 1991 to 2007. The Storm played their home games at the venerable Toledo Sports Arena along the southern banks of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio. The team colors were red and white, similar to the Detroit Red Wings,...
during the 2005–06 ECHL season. He spent the entire 2006–07 season
2006–07 AHL season
The 2006–07 AHL season was the 71st season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs won their first Calder Cup, defeating the defending champions, the Hershey Bears in the finals....
in the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL) with Milwaukee Admirals
Milwaukee Admirals
The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:...
. During the 2007–08 season, he played 53 games in the AHL with the Norfolk Admirals
Norfolk Admirals
The Norfolk Admirals are a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Admirals play in Norfolk, Virginia, at the Norfolk Scope.-History:...
and also played 17 games in the ECHL with the Reading Royals
Reading Royals
The Reading Royals are a professional ice hockey team that currently plays in the ECHL. The team participates in the Atlantic Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Royals play their home games at the Sovereign Center located in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania...
. He played AHL hockey for the next two years with Norfolk and the Rockford IceHogs
Rockford IceHogs
This article is about the former UHL franchise. For the current American Hockey League franchise, see Rockford IceHogs.The Rockford IceHogs were a professional ice hockey team in Rockford, Illinois USA. They were a member of the United Hockey League from 1999 to 2007. The IceHogs played their home...
.
On July 27, 2010, Kearns was signed as a free agent by the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
who assigned him to their AHL affiliate in San Antonio for the start of the 2010–11 AHL season
2010–11 AHL season
The 2010–11 AHL season is the 75th season of the American Hockey League. An all-time high of thirty teams will play 80 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on October 8, 2010 and ended on April 10, 2011...
.
Florida Panthers
On July 14, 2011, Kearns signed a one-year, two-way contractTwo-way contract
A two-way contract is a professional sports contract which stipulates that an athlete’s salary is dependent upon the league in which the athlete is assigned to play in...
with the Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
. On October 20, 2011, at the age of 30, Kearns made his NHL debut with the Panthers playing seven shifts for 6:30 of ice time in a 3–0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
.
Kearns is the second oldest player to make his NHL debut with the Panthers, behind only Magnus Svensson
Magnus Svensson (ice hockey b. 1963)
Magnus Svensson is an Swedish ice hockey player. He won a gold medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics. He would also play 46 games in the National Hockey League with the Florida Panthers.-External links:*...
who made his NHL debut with Florida in 1995 at the age of 32.
Family
Kearns' father is Dennis KearnsDennis Kearns
Dennis McAleer Kearns is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who spent his entire career with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
, a retired All-Star defenceman for the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
.