Donald Brashear
Encyclopedia
Donald Brashear is an American-Canadian professional ice hockey
left winger
who is currently a member of the Rivière-du-Loup CIMT
in the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey
(LNAH). He previously played for five organizations in the National Hockey League
(NHL). His main role is that of an enforcer. He was considered one of the best, and most feared, in the NHL. His aggressive style of play has led to being among the league leaders in penalty minutes six times, while currently ranking 15th all-time in NHL history, and has resulted in multiple suspensions as well. He remains the Vancouver Canucks
all-time single season leader in penalty minutes, which he set in the 1997–98 season. He was the victim of one most publicized incidents of on-ice violence in NHL history, when he was slashed in the head by Marty McSorley
, during the 1999–2000 season.
Brashear was born in Bedford, Indiana
but moved to Quebec
as a child. He has represented his native United States twice internationally, playing in consecutive IIHF World Championships in 1997
and 1998
.
mother, Johnny and Nicole Brashear, in Bedford, Indiana
. His father was an alcoholic who abused his family, including beating Donald with belts and electrical cords. On one occasion he threw a six-month-old Donald across the room. His mother, fearful that Johnny might kill her, left the family and returned to Canada. Later she came back to take the children, but left Donald to live with his father for another four years, until Donald's paternal grandmother sent him to Canada. Donald's mother later stated that she left him behind because her future husband was prejudiced and did not want another mixed-race child in the house.
Brashear moved in with his mother and his new stepfather in Lorretteville, Quebec. He suffered further abuse in his new surroundings, he was forced to sleep with a garbage bag tied around his waist to help him stop wetting the bed, and he was verbally berated for not being able to tie his shoes. His mother finally decided to give him up to foster care
, due in part because of what she called "mental problems" from the abuse he had suffered, and because he did not accept her as his mother. Brashear lived in two different foster homes that sent him away since the families believed he was a "little too much to handle."
At the age of eight Brashear moved to Val-Bélair, Quebec City and settled into a new foster home. Once there he began playing hockey with his new siblings. In order to help pay for hockey, Brashear sold baked bread and garbage bags door to door. Later he became a paper boy.
in 1992. He spent parts of three seasons with their American Hockey League
(AHL) affiliate, the Fredericton Canadiens
before becoming a regular in Montreal. During the 1993–94 AHL season
he registered professional career highs of 38 goals and 66 points, along with 250 Penalty Minutes
(PIMs) in 62 games. His 38 goals tied him for the team lead and the 250 PIMs led Fredericton. Brashear made his National Hockey League
(NHL) debut on November 15, 1993 against the Ottawa Senators
. He registered an assist
in the contest, his first NHL point
. Two days later he scored his first NHL goal
in a game vs. the Edmonton Oilers
. After playing parts of four seasons with the Canadiens, his time in Montreal ended following a heated verbal exchange with head coach Mario Tremblay
during a team practice on November 9, 1996
. Four days later Brashear was traded to the Vancouver Canucks
for Jassen Cullimore
. Brashear finished the year with 13 points and 245 PIMs, seventh in the league.
The following season
Brashear led the NHL in penalty minutes and set a Canucks' franchise record with 372 PIMs, while adding 18 points. During the season he also received a four-game suspension for delivering a blind-side punch to Ian Laperriere
. Brashear stated that he hit Laperriere in retaliation to Laperriere punching Brashear's teammate, Gino Odjick
from behind. The 1998–99 season
marked the first and only time in his career which he played in all 82 games, again leading the Canucks in penalty minutes and finishing 8th in the NHL. In the 1999–2000 season Brashear set a career high in goals with 11, but the season was marred by one of the most published incidents of excessive violence in the modern era of hockey.
game, Brashear was involved in a fight with Marty McSorley
. Brashear handily won the fight and on his way to the penalty box taunted the Bruins bench. Later in the game Brashear collided with Bruins' goaltender Byron Dafoe
, who had to be taken off on a stretcher with a knee injury. For the rest of the game, McSorley attempted to fight Brashear, who refused. With three seconds left in the game McSorley struck Brashear with a two-handed slash to the temple with his stick
. Brashear collapsed. The stick dislodged Brashear's helmet, and his head bounced off the ice. He suffered a seizure on the ice and the slash resulted in a grade 3 concussion. McSorley received an indefinite suspension and was charged with assault with a weapon as a result of his actions.
The case went to trial in British Columbia
, where Brashear testified that he has no memory of the incident. McSorley testified that he tried to hit Brashear in the shoulder to start a fight with him, but missed resulting in the head shot. McSorley was found guilty but avoided a jail sentence. He was required to complete 18 months of probation
, in which he was not allowed to play against Brashear. Brashear returned to play prior to the end of the season. McSorley, who missed the remaining 23 games of the season, had his suspension officially set at one year following the conviction. He never played in another NHL game.
. The Flyers received Brashear and the Canucks' 6th round pick in the 2002 draft
, in exchange for Jan Hlaváč
and the Flyers 3rd round pick in the same draft. While splitting time between the two franchises, Brashear set a career high in points, totaling 32, while amassing 199 PIMs. In 2002–03 he recorded 8 goals, 25 points and 161 PIMs. Thanks in part to his strong work ethic, he was awarded the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy, an annual award given to the Flyers' most improved player. During the 2003–04 season he was among the league leaders in PIMs, registering 212, ranking him 5th. His PIM total was aided by his role in the most penalized game
in NHL history. On March 5, 2004 the Flyers were defeating the Ottawa Senators
5–2, when with 1:45 remaining in the game, Brashear fought Ottawa enforcer Rob Ray
. The fight was believed to be in retaliation to Flyers forward Mark Recchi
being slashed in the face by the Senators Martin Havlat
. Following Brashear's fight, five separate brawls broke out. For his role in starting the fighting Brashear was assessed 34 PIMs, more than any other Flyer. When asked later why he started the fighting, he responded by saying, "Why wouldn’t I? Did you see the last game?"
Due to the cancellation of the 2004–05 NHL season by the NHL lockout Brashear signed with the Quebec Radio X
of the semi-pro Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey
league (LNAH). The deal was reportedly worth $300,000. He registered 18 goals and 50 points in 47 games, but was reluctant to fight and felt the league did little to protect him from players wanting to make a name for themselves against an established NHL enforcer. Brashear was suspended from the league following an incident where he continued punching a player in the face while he was lying on the ice.
Following the lockout, Brashear voiced his displeasure with the new way the league called games, stating that the NHL changed the rules to favor "superstars," and he felt that there was no longer a way to "get respect" on the ice. His statement came following a game in which he attempted to fight Darius Kasparitis, who the Flyers believed delivered a "cheap shot" to Simon Gagne
in an Olympic
game earlier in the year. After Kasparitis refused to fight Brashear at various points in the game, Brashear hit Kasparitis with a gloved punch with 1:53 remaining in the game. Kasparitis did not fight back and instead covered up to protect himself. Brashear was assessed 29 PIMs for the incident, including an instigator penalty. Brashear was given a one-game suspension, due to new league rules for the 2005–06 season – any player given an instigator penalty in the final five minutes of regulation or overtime would receive an automatic one-game suspension. At the end of the year he was again in the top ten (8th) in PIMs accumulating 166, but his offensive production dropped to a mere 9 points. The Flyers elected not to re-sign the enforcer.
The Washington Capitals
signed Brashear on July 14, 2006 to a one-year, 1 million dollar contract. The signing was to provide Alexander Ovechkin
with some protection. Capitals management felt that Brashear was skilled enough not to be a liability on the team while bringing an intimidating presence. During the 2006–07 season the Capitals decided to extend Brashear's contract, signing him to a one-year, $1.1 million contract extension. He was also suspended one game of the season for punching New York Rangers
defenseman Aaron Ward, following a fight between Brashear and Brendan Shanahan
. In the game Shanahan felt Brashear was taking liberties with Ranger Captain Jaromír Jágr
and challenged Brashear to a fight. Brashear won the fight and motioned as if he was dusting off his hands. Ward then approached him and had words with Brashear who responded by punching him in the face, earning Brashear a game misconduct for intent to injure and eventually the suspension. At season's end his point total increased from the previous season to 13 and his 156 PIMs ranked him in the top ten (6th) in the league for the sixth time in his career. In the 2007–08 season, Brashear played in 80 games for the Capitals but his offensive production slipped down to 8 points while registering only 119 PIMs. Yet he served as one of the Capitals' alternate captains. On January 24, 2008 the Capitals once again re-signed Brashear, this time to a one-year, $1.2 million extension.
In the 2008–09 season Brashear's point total dropped to 4, his lowest total since 1995–96
while he was with Montreal. During the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs
he earned a suspension for two separate on-ice incidents. On April 26, 2009 the Capitals faced the New York Rangers
in game 6 of their first-round series. In the pre-game warm-ups Brashear shoved Rangers' enforcer Colton Orr
and mid-way through the first period delivered a blind-side hit to Blair Betts
. As a result of the hit, and a possible elbow, Betts suffered a broken orbital bone and was out indefinitely. Colin Campbell ruled that the hit was late on an unsuspecting player; he also believed it targeted the head, and as a result caused significant injury. For his actions Brashear was given a 6-game suspension (one for the pre-game altercation and five for the hit on Betts).
. Brashear noted that at his age and place in his career, taking care of his family was top priority and money would be the deciding factor. The Capitals did not re-sign him. After talks with the Kontinental Hockey League's
(KHL) Vityaz Chekhov
he agreed to a two-year, $2.8 million contract with the New York Rangers. At an event for season-ticket holders, Brashear was booed due to the altercation with the Rangers in the previous post season. He set a personal milestone during the 2009–10 season by playing in his 1,000th NHL game, on November 12 against the Atlanta Thrashers
.
Brashear struggled in New York registering only one assist and 73 PIMs in 36 games; he became unhappy with his role in New York and asked the Rangers for a trade. Following a stretch of seven straight and 12 of 13 games where he was a healthy scratch, the Rangers placed Brashear on waivers. After clearing waivers, he was assigned to the Rangers AHL affiliate the Hartford Wolfpack. Despite the demotion Brashear was happy to be getting steady ice time in Hartford.
At the end of the season, the Rangers again placed Brashear on waivers, making him eligible for a contract buyout. Instead of buying out his contract, the Rangers traded Brashear on August 2, 2010, along with Patrick Rissmiller, to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for center Todd White
. Atlanta then placed Brashear on waivers and bought out the remaining year of his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent. At the end of the 2009–10 season, Brashear ranked 15th all-time in NHL history for penalty minutes.
After not receiving serious interest from any NHL teams Brashear decided to return to the LNAH and signed with Sorel-Tracy GCI. He noted that his decision was based on his desire to continue playing hockey, his love of playing in Quebec, and a chance to reunite with some former teammates. He was later traded during the season to Rivière-du-Loup CIMT
to add talent and toughness to the team. Rivière-du-Loup CIMT considered acquiring Brashear a "coup" noting that they could not pass up the chance to add him to the team. Late in the season Brashear was given a suspension following a his actions in a brawl against Trois-Rivières
. During the melee Brashear "attacked" goaltender Julien Ellis
after he slashed one of Brashear's teammates who was engaged in a different fight. Brashear hit Ellis with several gloved punches before one of Ellis' teammates attempted to restrain Brashear. Brashear fought with the intervening player and after falling to the ice Brashear continued to punch the "defenseless" player. He went back after the goaltender before a linesman tackled him. The suspension was originally for eight games, but after the league met with Brashear and Rivière-du-Loup's general manager it was reduced to five games.
where he registered 2 goals and 5 points in 8 games, helping the Americans to a 6th place finish. He later noted that he was surprised by the invitation, but felt that it gave him an opportunity to show he could play other roles besides being an enforcer. He played for Team USA again the following year at the World Championship
playing in 6 games and accumulating 10 penalty minutes as the Americans finished in 12th place.
er, who could create momentum by playing aggressive and delivering body checks, while possessing an underrated shot. When fighting he uses a combination of balance and upper body strength while taking his time trying to control his opponents before landing punches. Although left handed by nature, he became adept at using either hand during fights. He was considered one of the toughest players in the NHL as well as one most feared.
In the January 2010 issue of The Hockey News
, Brashear was named enforcer of the decade, noting that although he did not lead the NHL in number of fights, during the decade, he would have been involved in more if "he wasn't so feared". Hockey analyst Bill Clement states that "Brashear has a great sense of when his fighting skills are necessary and he picks his spots before dropping the gloves. He’s excellent at understanding when a bit of pugilism might well provide the push or nudge to get some momentum going for his team." The Hockey News also assessed his skills by saying he possessed one of the most intimidating packages in the league, had a decent skating stride and was one of the best pugilists in the NHL. He was a bit too deliberate when handling and passing the puck, and fought much less as he got older, while slowly breaking down over time.
promoter Ringside MMA. Brashear's first fight occurred on June 4, 2011 against Mathieu Bergeron at the Colisée Pepsi
in Quebec City
. In the fight Brashear immediately charged Bergeron knocking him down with a right hook
. After knocking him down he continued to hit him with hammer fists causing the referee to stop the fight after only 21 seconds. Brashear was officially awarded the win by TKO
.
.
During the lockout he spent time as an amateur boxer compiling a 2–1 record. Later he trained with former heavyweight
champion, Smokin' Joe Frasier In 2007 Brashear, along with some friends, started the house building company, DEC Construction. During the off-season he works on site doing various jobs. He has a knack for languages speaking French and English, and learning Russian and Spanish. He enjoys music as well playing the piano while learning the acoustic guitar.
Brashear's great-uncle Carl Brashear
, was the first African-American to be certified as a Master Diver
in the U.S. Navy. He was the inspiration for the movie Men of Honor
, in which he was portrayed by Cuba Gooding, Jr.
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! colspan="5" | Regular season
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! colspan="5" | Playoffs
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Season
! Team
! League
! GP !! G
!! A
!! Pts
!! PIM
! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM
|-
| 1988–89
| Ste-Foy Gouverneurs
| QAAA
| 10 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 10
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1989–90
| Longueuil Collège Français
| QMJHL
| 64 || 12 || 14 || 26 || 169
| 7 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 11
|-
| 1990–91
| Longueuil Collège Français
| QMJHL
| 68 || 12 || 26 || 38 || 195
| 8 || 0 || 3 || 3 || 33
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1991–92
| Verdun Collège Français
| QMJHL
| 65 || 18 || 24 || 42 || 283
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| 1992–93
| Fredericton Canadiens
| AHL
| 76 || 11 || 3 || 14 || 261
| 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 8
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1993–94
| Fredericton Canadiens
| AHL
| 62 || 38 || 28 || 66 || 250
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| 1993–94
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 14 || 2 || 2 || 4 || 34
| 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1994–95
| Fredericton Canadiens
| AHL
| 29 || 10 || 9 || 19 || 182
| 17 || 7 || 5 || 12 || 77
|-
| 1994–95
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 20 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 63
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1995–96
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 67 || 0 || 4 || 4 || 223
| 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2
|-
| 1996–97
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 10 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 38
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1996–97
| Vancouver Canucks
| NHL
| 59 || 8 || 5 || 13 || 207
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| 1997–98
| Vancouver Canucks
| NHL
| 77 || 9 || 9 || 18 || 372
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1998–99
| Vancouver Canucks
| NHL
| 82 || 8 || 10 || 18 || 209
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| 1999–2000
| Vancouver Canucks
| NHL
| 60 || 11 || 2 || 13 || 136
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2000–01
| Vancouver Canucks
| NHL
| 79 || 9 || 19 || 28 || 145
| 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| 2001–02
| Vancouver Canucks
| NHL
| 31 || 5 || 8 || 13 || 90
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2001–02
| Philadelphia Flyers
| NHL
| 50 || 4 || 15 || 19 || 109
| 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 19
|-
| 2002–03
| Philadelphia Flyers
| NHL
| 80 || 8 || 17 || 25 || 161
| 13 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 21
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2003–04
| Philadelphia Flyers
| NHL
| 64 || 6 || 7 || 13 || 212
| 18 || 1 || 3 || 4 || 61
|-
| 2004–05
| Quebec Radio X
| LNAH
| 47 || 18 || 32 || 50 || 260
| 8 || 4 || 6 || 10 || 42
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2005–06
| Philadelphia Flyers
| NHL
| 76 || 4 || 5 || 9 || 166
| 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| 2006–07
| Washington Capitals
| NHL
| 77 || 4 || 9 || 13 || 156
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2007–08
| Washington Capitals
| NHL
| 80 || 5 || 3 || 8 || 119
| 7 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 0
|-
| 2008–09
| Washington Capitals
| NHL
| 63 || 1 || 3 || 4 || 121
| 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 18
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2009–10
| New York Rangers
| NHL
| 36 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 73
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| 2009–10
| Hartford Wolf Pack
| AHL
| 27 || 2 || 4 || 6 || 25
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2010–11
| Riviere-du-Loup 3L
| LNAH
| 28 || 17 || 14 || 31 || 66
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | NHL totals
! 1,025 !! 85 !! 120 !! 205 !! 2,634
! 60 !! 3 !! 6 !! 9 !! 121
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year
! Team
! Event
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM
|- ALIGN="center"
| 1997
| United States
| WC
| 8 || 2 || 3 || 5 || 8
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1998
| United States
| WC
| 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 10
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | Totals
! 14 !! 2 !! 3 !! 5 !! 18
| Win
|align=center| 1-0
|
Mathieu Bergeron
| TKO (punches)
| Ringside MMA
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:21
|Quebec City, Quebec
| MMA debut, first win
|-
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...
left winger
Winger (ice hockey)
Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
who is currently a member of the Rivière-du-Loup CIMT
Rivière-du-Loup CIMT
The Riviere-du-Loup 3L is a hockey team in the LNAH , which is based in the province of Quebec. The team's first season in the LNAH was 2008-09. The city of Rivière-du-Loup earlier in the decade had teams in the QSPHL, QSMHL and QSCHL, including a previous CIMT franchise....
in the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey
Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey
The Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey was founded in 2004 and is a low-level professional league based in the Canadian province of Quebec. It was called the Quebec Semi-Pro Hockey League from 1996 until it turned pro in 2004...
(LNAH). He previously played for five organizations 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...
(NHL). His main role is that of an enforcer. He was considered one of the best, and most feared, in the NHL. His aggressive style of play has led to being among the league leaders in penalty minutes six times, while currently ranking 15th all-time in NHL history, and has resulted in multiple suspensions as well. He remains 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,...
all-time single season leader in penalty minutes, which he set in the 1997–98 season. He was the victim of one most publicized incidents of on-ice violence in NHL history, when he was slashed in the head by Marty McSorley
Marty McSorley
Martin James "Marty" McSorley is a retired Canadian professional hockey player, who played in the National Hockey League from 1983 to 2000. A versatile player, he was able to play both the forward and defense positions. He is also a former head coach of the Springfield Falcons of the American...
, during the 1999–2000 season.
Brashear was born in Bedford, Indiana
Bedford, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,768 people, 6,054 households, and 3,644 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,157.1 people per square mile . There were 6,618 housing units at an average density of 556.2 per square mile...
but moved to Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
as a child. He has represented his native United States twice internationally, playing in consecutive IIHF World Championships in 1997
1997 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
- Group 2 :- Second Round 1-6 Place :Teams that had played each other in the first round carried those results forward. First and second place played off for gold, third and fourth for bronze.- Consolation Round 7-12 Place :...
and 1998
1998 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
-World Championship Group C :Played March 22-28 in Budapest, Székesfehérvár and Dunaújváros.- Group 1 :- Group 2 :- Final Round 25-28 Place :Hungary was promoted to Group B.- Consolation Round 29-32 Place :...
.
Early life
Brashear is the youngest of three children born to an African-American father and QuébécoisFrench-speaking Quebecer
French-speaking Quebecers are francophone residents of the Canadian province of Quebec....
mother, Johnny and Nicole Brashear, in Bedford, Indiana
Bedford, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,768 people, 6,054 households, and 3,644 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,157.1 people per square mile . There were 6,618 housing units at an average density of 556.2 per square mile...
. His father was an alcoholic who abused his family, including beating Donald with belts and electrical cords. On one occasion he threw a six-month-old Donald across the room. His mother, fearful that Johnny might kill her, left the family and returned to Canada. Later she came back to take the children, but left Donald to live with his father for another four years, until Donald's paternal grandmother sent him to Canada. Donald's mother later stated that she left him behind because her future husband was prejudiced and did not want another mixed-race child in the house.
Brashear moved in with his mother and his new stepfather in Lorretteville, Quebec. He suffered further abuse in his new surroundings, he was forced to sleep with a garbage bag tied around his waist to help him stop wetting the bed, and he was verbally berated for not being able to tie his shoes. His mother finally decided to give him up to foster care
Foster care
Foster care is the term used for a system in which a minor who has been made a ward is placed in the private home of a state certified caregiver referred to as a "foster parent"....
, due in part because of what she called "mental problems" from the abuse he had suffered, and because he did not accept her as his mother. Brashear lived in two different foster homes that sent him away since the families believed he was a "little too much to handle."
At the age of eight Brashear moved to Val-Bélair, Quebec City and settled into a new foster home. Once there he began playing hockey with his new siblings. In order to help pay for hockey, Brashear sold baked bread and garbage bags door to door. Later he became a paper boy.
Early career
Brashear was signed as a free agent by the Montreal CanadiensMontreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
in 1992. He spent parts of three seasons with their 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) affiliate, the Fredericton Canadiens
Fredericton Canadiens
The Fredericton Canadiens, or the 'Baby Habs' were a professional ice hockey team in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The Canadiens played their home games at the Aitken Centre...
before becoming a regular in Montreal. During the 1993–94 AHL season
1993–94 AHL season
The 1993–94 AHL season was the 58th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The St. John's Maple Leafs finished first overall in the regular season...
he registered professional career highs of 38 goals and 66 points, along with 250 Penalty Minutes
Penalty (ice hockey)
A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,...
(PIMs) in 62 games. His 38 goals tied him for the team lead and the 250 PIMs led Fredericton. Brashear made his 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...
(NHL) debut on November 15, 1993 against the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. He registered an assist
Assist (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal...
in the contest, his first NHL point
Point (ice hockey)
Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one...
. Two days later he scored his first NHL goal
Goal (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to...
in a game vs. the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. After playing parts of four seasons with the Canadiens, his time in Montreal ended following a heated verbal exchange with head coach Mario Tremblay
Mario Tremblay
Mario Tremblay is a former professional ice hockey player and former coach in the National Hockey League...
during a team practice on November 9, 1996
1996-97 NHL season
The 1996–97 NHL season was the 80th regular season of the National Hockey League. The Stanley Cup winners were the Detroit Red Wings, who swept the Philadelphia Flyers in four games and won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 42 years. The regular season saw a decline in scoring and rise in the...
. Four days later Brashear was traded to 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,...
for Jassen Cullimore
Jassen Cullimore
Jassen A. Cullimore is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Iserlohn Roosters in the DEL in Germany.-Playing career:...
. Brashear finished the year with 13 points and 245 PIMs, seventh in the league.
The following season
1997-98 NHL season
-Stanley Cup Final:The 1998 Stanley Cup Final was played in the 105th year of the Stanley Cup. The series was played between the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings and the Eastern Conference champion Washington Capitals. The Red Wings were led by Captain Steve Yzerman, Coach Scotty...
Brashear led the NHL in penalty minutes and set a Canucks' franchise record with 372 PIMs, while adding 18 points. During the season he also received a four-game suspension for delivering a blind-side punch to Ian Laperriere
Ian Laperriere
Ian Laperrière is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently under contract to the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League , but who has not played since the season because of post-concussion syndrome....
. Brashear stated that he hit Laperriere in retaliation to Laperriere punching Brashear's teammate, Gino Odjick
Gino Odjick
Wayne Gino "Chief, The Enforcer" Odjick was born on 7 September 1970 in an Algonquin Native Reserve named Chum Sa Bay at Maniwaki, Quebec. He was a professional hockey player in the National Hockey League from 1990–91 to 2001–02....
from behind. The 1998–99 season
1998-99 NHL season
-Stanley Cup Final:The teams split the first two games, held in Dallas, then split the following two games in Buffalo. In the fifth game, Dallas shut out Buffalo to put the Sabres on the brink of elimination. Game 6 was held in Buffalo and it went to triple-overtime before being decided on Brett...
marked the first and only time in his career which he played in all 82 games, again leading the Canucks in penalty minutes and finishing 8th in the NHL. In the 1999–2000 season Brashear set a career high in goals with 11, but the season was marred by one of the most published incidents of excessive violence in the modern era of hockey.
McSorley incident
During the February 21, 2000 Vancouver-BostonBoston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
game, Brashear was involved in a fight with Marty McSorley
Marty McSorley
Martin James "Marty" McSorley is a retired Canadian professional hockey player, who played in the National Hockey League from 1983 to 2000. A versatile player, he was able to play both the forward and defense positions. He is also a former head coach of the Springfield Falcons of the American...
. Brashear handily won the fight and on his way to the penalty box taunted the Bruins bench. Later in the game Brashear collided with Bruins' goaltender Byron Dafoe
Byron Dafoe
Byron Dafoe is a British-Canadian former National Hockey League goaltender. He was born in Worthing, Sussex, England and moved to Duncan, British Columbia with his mother at the age of two months old. Between 1992 and 2004, he played for the Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, Los Angeles Kings...
, who had to be taken off on a stretcher with a knee injury. For the rest of the game, McSorley attempted to fight Brashear, who refused. With three seconds left in the game McSorley struck Brashear with a two-handed slash to the temple with his stick
Hockey stick
A hockey stick is a piece of equipment used in field hockey, ice hockey or roller hockey to move the ball or puck.- Field hockey :Field hockey sticks have an end which varies in shape, often depending on the players position...
. Brashear collapsed. The stick dislodged Brashear's helmet, and his head bounced off the ice. He suffered a seizure on the ice and the slash resulted in a grade 3 concussion. McSorley received an indefinite suspension and was charged with assault with a weapon as a result of his actions.
The case went to trial in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, where Brashear testified that he has no memory of the incident. McSorley testified that he tried to hit Brashear in the shoulder to start a fight with him, but missed resulting in the head shot. McSorley was found guilty but avoided a jail sentence. He was required to complete 18 months of probation
Probation
Probation literally means testing of behaviour or abilities. In a legal sense, an offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a probation officer...
, in which he was not allowed to play against Brashear. Brashear returned to play prior to the end of the season. McSorley, who missed the remaining 23 games of the season, had his suspension officially set at one year following the conviction. He never played in another NHL game.
Mid-career
Brashear played in 79 games the following season registering 19 assists and 28 points. After leading the Canucks in penalty minutes for the previous four seasons, Brashear was traded 31 games into the 2001–02 season to the Philadelphia FlyersPhiladelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. The Flyers received Brashear and the Canucks' 6th round pick in the 2002 draft
2002 NHL Entry Draft
The 2002 NHL Entry Draft was held June 22–23 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. 291 players were drafted in total: 35 from the OHL; 23 from the QMJHL; 43 from the WHL; 41 from the NCAA; 6 from U.S high schools and 110 from outside North America....
, in exchange for Jan Hlaváč
Jan Hlavac
Jan Hlaváč is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for Linköpings HC of the Swedish Elitserien.- Playing career :...
and the Flyers 3rd round pick in the same draft. While splitting time between the two franchises, Brashear set a career high in points, totaling 32, while amassing 199 PIMs. In 2002–03 he recorded 8 goals, 25 points and 161 PIMs. Thanks in part to his strong work ethic, he was awarded the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy, an annual award given to the Flyers' most improved player. During the 2003–04 season he was among the league leaders in PIMs, registering 212, ranking him 5th. His PIM total was aided by his role in the most penalized game
Flyers–Senators brawl
The Flyers–Senators brawl was a line brawl that occurred during a National Hockey League game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Ottawa Senators on March 5, 2004. The two team's combined penalty minutes, 419, were the most in a single game in the history of the league...
in NHL history. On March 5, 2004 the Flyers were defeating the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
5–2, when with 1:45 remaining in the game, Brashear fought Ottawa enforcer Rob Ray
Rob Ray
Robert John Ray, nicknamed Rayzor is a Canadian sports broadcaster and former professional ice hockey player. He was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy by the National Hockey League in 1999 for leadership and humanitarianism....
. The fight was believed to be in retaliation to Flyers forward Mark Recchi
Mark Recchi
Mark Louis Recchi is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 22 years in the National Hockey League , most notably for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens...
being slashed in the face by the Senators Martin Havlat
Martin Havlat
Martin Havlát is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
. Following Brashear's fight, five separate brawls broke out. For his role in starting the fighting Brashear was assessed 34 PIMs, more than any other Flyer. When asked later why he started the fighting, he responded by saying, "Why wouldn’t I? Did you see the last game?"
Quebec Radio X
Pont Rouge Lois Jeans was a hockey team based in Pont Rouge, Quebec. The team was part of the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey .The team had been known by many names such as the Vanier Voyageurs, Quebec Ace, Beaupré Caron et Guay, Beaupré Aces and Quebec RadioX. After the 2007-08 season the team...
of the semi-pro Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey
Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey
The Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey was founded in 2004 and is a low-level professional league based in the Canadian province of Quebec. It was called the Quebec Semi-Pro Hockey League from 1996 until it turned pro in 2004...
league (LNAH). The deal was reportedly worth $300,000. He registered 18 goals and 50 points in 47 games, but was reluctant to fight and felt the league did little to protect him from players wanting to make a name for themselves against an established NHL enforcer. Brashear was suspended from the league following an incident where he continued punching a player in the face while he was lying on the ice.
Following the lockout, Brashear voiced his displeasure with the new way the league called games, stating that the NHL changed the rules to favor "superstars," and he felt that there was no longer a way to "get respect" on the ice. His statement came following a game in which he attempted to fight Darius Kasparitis, who the Flyers believed delivered a "cheap shot" to Simon Gagne
Simon Gagné
Simon Gagné is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League . Prior to Los Angeles, he spent the first 10 seasons of his NHL career with the Philadelphia Flyers and another with the Tampa Bay Lightning.Drafted out of the Quebec Major Junior...
in an Olympic
Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics
-Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and...
game earlier in the year. After Kasparitis refused to fight Brashear at various points in the game, Brashear hit Kasparitis with a gloved punch with 1:53 remaining in the game. Kasparitis did not fight back and instead covered up to protect himself. Brashear was assessed 29 PIMs for the incident, including an instigator penalty. Brashear was given a one-game suspension, due to new league rules for the 2005–06 season – any player given an instigator penalty in the final five minutes of regulation or overtime would receive an automatic one-game suspension. At the end of the year he was again in the top ten (8th) in PIMs accumulating 166, but his offensive production dropped to a mere 9 points. The Flyers elected not to re-sign the enforcer.
The Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
signed Brashear on July 14, 2006 to a one-year, 1 million dollar contract. The signing was to provide Alexander Ovechkin
Alexander Ovechkin
Alexander Mikhaylovich Ovechkin is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League...
with some protection. Capitals management felt that Brashear was skilled enough not to be a liability on the team while bringing an intimidating presence. During the 2006–07 season the Capitals decided to extend Brashear's contract, signing him to a one-year, $1.1 million contract extension. He was also suspended one game of the season for punching New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
defenseman Aaron Ward, following a fight between Brashear and Brendan Shanahan
Brendan Shanahan
Brendan Frederick "Shanny" Shanahan is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently serves as the National Hockey League's Vice President of Hockey and Business Development and head disciplinarian. Originally drafted by the New Jersey Devils second overall in the 1987 NHL Entry...
. In the game Shanahan felt Brashear was taking liberties with Ranger Captain Jaromír Jágr
Jaromir Jagr
Jaromír Jágr is a Czech professional ice hockey right winger who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Jágr formerly played with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers, serving as captain of the Penguins and the Rangers...
and challenged Brashear to a fight. Brashear won the fight and motioned as if he was dusting off his hands. Ward then approached him and had words with Brashear who responded by punching him in the face, earning Brashear a game misconduct for intent to injure and eventually the suspension. At season's end his point total increased from the previous season to 13 and his 156 PIMs ranked him in the top ten (6th) in the league for the sixth time in his career. In the 2007–08 season, Brashear played in 80 games for the Capitals but his offensive production slipped down to 8 points while registering only 119 PIMs. Yet he served as one of the Capitals' alternate captains. On January 24, 2008 the Capitals once again re-signed Brashear, this time to a one-year, $1.2 million extension.
In the 2008–09 season Brashear's point total dropped to 4, his lowest total since 1995–96
1995-96 NHL season
The 1995–96 NHL season was the 79th regular season of the National Hockey League. The Stanley Cup winners were the Colorado Avalanche, who, in their first year as the Avalanche, swept the Florida Panthers in four games.-League business:...
while he was with Montreal. During the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs
2009 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 15, 2009, after the 2008–09 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference , play a best-of-seven series for the conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and...
he earned a suspension for two separate on-ice incidents. On April 26, 2009 the Capitals faced the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
in game 6 of their first-round series. In the pre-game warm-ups Brashear shoved Rangers' enforcer Colton Orr
Colton Orr
Colton Douglas Orr is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, currently playing in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs.- Playing career :...
and mid-way through the first period delivered a blind-side hit to Blair Betts
Blair Betts
Blair Betts is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
. As a result of the hit, and a possible elbow, Betts suffered a broken orbital bone and was out indefinitely. Colin Campbell ruled that the hit was late on an unsuspecting player; he also believed it targeted the head, and as a result caused significant injury. For his actions Brashear was given a 6-game suspension (one for the pre-game altercation and five for the hit on Betts).
Later career
Brashear was not given an extension during the season and prior to the start of free-agency indicated that he would like to return to Washington with the prospect of winning the Stanley CupStanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
. Brashear noted that at his age and place in his career, taking care of his family was top priority and money would be the deciding factor. The Capitals did not re-sign him. After talks with the Kontinental Hockey League's
Kontinental Hockey League
The Kontinental Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league in Eurasia founded in 2008. As of 2009, it is ranked as the strongest hockey league in Europe....
(KHL) Vityaz Chekhov
Vityaz Chekhov
Hockey Club Vityaz is a professional ice hockey team based in Chekhov, Moscow, Russia. They are members of the Tarasov Division of the Kontinental Hockey League and are currently coached by former National Hockey League enforcer Andrei Nazarov...
he agreed to a two-year, $2.8 million contract with the New York Rangers. At an event for season-ticket holders, Brashear was booed due to the altercation with the Rangers in the previous post season. He set a personal milestone during the 2009–10 season by playing in his 1,000th NHL game, on November 12 against the Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
.
Brashear struggled in New York registering only one assist and 73 PIMs in 36 games; he became unhappy with his role in New York and asked the Rangers for a trade. Following a stretch of seven straight and 12 of 13 games where he was a healthy scratch, the Rangers placed Brashear on waivers. After clearing waivers, he was assigned to the Rangers AHL affiliate the Hartford Wolfpack. Despite the demotion Brashear was happy to be getting steady ice time in Hartford.
At the end of the season, the Rangers again placed Brashear on waivers, making him eligible for a contract buyout. Instead of buying out his contract, the Rangers traded Brashear on August 2, 2010, along with Patrick Rissmiller, to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for center Todd White
Todd White
Todd White is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played junior hockey for the Kanata Valley Lazers of the CJHL before heading to Clarkson University on a scholarship. As a senior, he was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.-Playing career:Todd White signed as a free agent with...
. Atlanta then placed Brashear on waivers and bought out the remaining year of his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent. At the end of the 2009–10 season, Brashear ranked 15th all-time in NHL history for penalty minutes.
After not receiving serious interest from any NHL teams Brashear decided to return to the LNAH and signed with Sorel-Tracy GCI. He noted that his decision was based on his desire to continue playing hockey, his love of playing in Quebec, and a chance to reunite with some former teammates. He was later traded during the season to Rivière-du-Loup CIMT
Rivière-du-Loup CIMT
The Riviere-du-Loup 3L is a hockey team in the LNAH , which is based in the province of Quebec. The team's first season in the LNAH was 2008-09. The city of Rivière-du-Loup earlier in the decade had teams in the QSPHL, QSMHL and QSCHL, including a previous CIMT franchise....
to add talent and toughness to the team. Rivière-du-Loup CIMT considered acquiring Brashear a "coup" noting that they could not pass up the chance to add him to the team. Late in the season Brashear was given a suspension following a his actions in a brawl against Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières means three rivers in French and may refer to:in Canada*Trois-Rivières, the largest city in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada*Circuit Trois-Rivières, a racetrack in Trois-Rivières, Quebec...
. During the melee Brashear "attacked" goaltender Julien Ellis
Julien Ellis
Julien Ellis is a professional ice hockey goaltender. He currently plays for the Elmira Jackals of the East Coast Hockey League and is currently an unrestricted agent at the National Hockey League level since July 1, 2009.-Playing career:Ellis played junior hockey in the QMJHL with the Shawinigan...
after he slashed one of Brashear's teammates who was engaged in a different fight. Brashear hit Ellis with several gloved punches before one of Ellis' teammates attempted to restrain Brashear. Brashear fought with the intervening player and after falling to the ice Brashear continued to punch the "defenseless" player. He went back after the goaltender before a linesman tackled him. The suspension was originally for eight games, but after the league met with Brashear and Rivière-du-Loup's general manager it was reduced to five games.
International play
Brashear has represented the United States on two separate occasions. He made his international debut at the 1997 World Championship1997 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
- Group 2 :- Second Round 1-6 Place :Teams that had played each other in the first round carried those results forward. First and second place played off for gold, third and fourth for bronze.- Consolation Round 7-12 Place :...
where he registered 2 goals and 5 points in 8 games, helping the Americans to a 6th place finish. He later noted that he was surprised by the invitation, but felt that it gave him an opportunity to show he could play other roles besides being an enforcer. He played for Team USA again the following year at the World Championship
1998 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
-World Championship Group C :Played March 22-28 in Budapest, Székesfehérvár and Dunaújváros.- Group 1 :- Group 2 :- Final Round 25-28 Place :Hungary was promoted to Group B.- Consolation Round 29-32 Place :...
playing in 6 games and accumulating 10 penalty minutes as the Americans finished in 12th place.
Playing style
Brashear was an enforcer; his role was to protect his teammates if an opponent is going beyond what is considered acceptable physical play to "dirty" play or taking "cheap shots". Brashear was a tenacious forecheckForecheck
The forecheck is an ice hockey defensive play made in the offensive zone with the objective of applying pressure to the opposing team's puck carrier forcing a turnover. Forechecking is generally executed in one of three situations: recovery of the puck after a dump in, after the rebound on a...
er, who could create momentum by playing aggressive and delivering body checks, while possessing an underrated shot. When fighting he uses a combination of balance and upper body strength while taking his time trying to control his opponents before landing punches. Although left handed by nature, he became adept at using either hand during fights. He was considered one of the toughest players in the NHL as well as one most feared.
In the January 2010 issue of The Hockey News
The Hockey News
The Hockey News, commonly abbreviated to THN, is a North American ice hockey magazine published by Transcontinental. The Hockey News was founded in 1947 by Ken McKenzie and Bill Côté, and has since been the most recognized hockey publication in North America...
, Brashear was named enforcer of the decade, noting that although he did not lead the NHL in number of fights, during the decade, he would have been involved in more if "he wasn't so feared". Hockey analyst Bill Clement states that "Brashear has a great sense of when his fighting skills are necessary and he picks his spots before dropping the gloves. He’s excellent at understanding when a bit of pugilism might well provide the push or nudge to get some momentum going for his team." The Hockey News also assessed his skills by saying he possessed one of the most intimidating packages in the league, had a decent skating stride and was one of the best pugilists in the NHL. He was a bit too deliberate when handling and passing the puck, and fought much less as he got older, while slowly breaking down over time.
Mixed martial arts
In April of 2011 Brashear signed a three fight contract with the Mixed martial artsMixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
promoter Ringside MMA. Brashear's first fight occurred on June 4, 2011 against Mathieu Bergeron at the Colisée Pepsi
Colisée Pepsi
Colisée Pepsi , formerly the Colisée de Québec , is a multi-purpose arena in Quebec City, Quebec.It was the home of the WHA and NHL Quebec Nordiques from 1972–1995, and is currently the home of the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
in Quebec City
Quebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
. In the fight Brashear immediately charged Bergeron knocking him down with a right hook
Hook (boxing)
A hook is a punch in boxing. It is performed by turning the core muscles and back, thereby swinging the arm, which is bent at an angle near or at 90 degrees, in a horizontal arc into the opponent...
. After knocking him down he continued to hit him with hammer fists causing the referee to stop the fight after only 21 seconds. Brashear was officially awarded the win by TKO
TKO
-In game, music and film:* Three Kingdoms Online, a browser based strategy game* "TKO" , an episode of Babylon 5* "T.K.O. ", a song from Elvis Costello's Punch the Clock album* "TKO", a song from Le Tigre's This Island...
.
Personal
Brashear has two sons, Jordan and Jackson; he separated from their mother, Gabrielle Desgagne, his common-law wife, in 2007. In 2000 Brashear was charged with assault following an incident where he grabbed a man by the neck and shoved him. The incident occurred after the man complained to Desgagne about the couple's infant son crawling on the exercise machines in a communal gym. Brashear received six months probation after pleading guilty to common assaultCommon assault
Common assault was an offence under the common law of England, and has been held now to be a statutory offence in England and Wales. It is committed by a person who causes another person to apprehend the immediate use of unlawful violence by the defendant. It was thought to include battery...
.
During the lockout he spent time as an amateur boxer compiling a 2–1 record. Later he trained with former heavyweight
Heavyweight
Heavyweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Fighters who weigh over 200 pounds are considered heavyweights by the major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council, and the World Boxing...
champion, Smokin' Joe Frasier In 2007 Brashear, along with some friends, started the house building company, DEC Construction. During the off-season he works on site doing various jobs. He has a knack for languages speaking French and English, and learning Russian and Spanish. He enjoys music as well playing the piano while learning the acoustic guitar.
Brashear's great-uncle Carl Brashear
Carl Brashear
Carl Maxie Brashear was the first African American to become a U.S. Navy Master Diver in 1970.-Early life:...
, was the first African-American to be certified as a Master Diver
Master Diver (United States Navy)
The United States Navy Master Diver is the highest warfare qualification obtainable by a member of U.S. Navy diving community. A Master Diver has the most experience and knowledge on all aspects of diving and underwater salvage.-Designation:...
in the U.S. Navy. He was the inspiration for the movie Men of Honor
Men of Honor
Men of Honor is a 2000 drama film, starring Robert De Niro and Cuba Gooding, Jr. The film was directed by George Tillman, Jr...
, in which he was portrayed by Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Cuba M. Gooding, Jr. is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his Academy Award-winning portrayal of Rod Tidwell in Cameron Crowe's 1996 film Jerry Maguire, and his critically acclaimed performance as Tré Styles in John Singleton's 1991 film Boyz n the Hood.-Early life:Gooding was born...
Career statistics
{| BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="0" width="75%" style="text-align:center"|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! colspan="5" | Regular season
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! colspan="5" | Playoffs
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Season
Season (sports)
In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...
! Team
! League
! GP !! G
Goal (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to...
!! A
Assist (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal...
!! Pts
Point (ice hockey)
Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one...
!! PIM
Penalty (ice hockey)
A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,...
! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM
|-
| 1988–89
| Ste-Foy Gouverneurs
| QAAA
| 10 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 10
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1989–90
1989–90 QMJHL season
The 1989–90 QMJHL season was the 21st season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates five new awards for accomplishments during the season. Shell Canada sponsored two Shell Cup "Player of the Year" awards, one each for offensive and defensive players....
| Longueuil Collège Français
Verdun Collège Français
Verdun Collège Français were a junior ice hockey team from Verdun, Quebec. They were members of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 1991 to 1994. Collège Français resurrected the dormant Quebec Remparts franchise in 1985 after a three year hiatus, as Longueuil Collège Français...
| QMJHL
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
| 64 || 12 || 14 || 26 || 169
| 7 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 11
|-
| 1990–91
1990–91 QMJHL season
The 1990–91 QMJHL season was the 22nd season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates the St-Clair Group Plaque, awarded to the "Marketing Director of the Year." Dilio and Lebel divisions are restored as the league adds an expansion franchise in Beauport,...
| Longueuil Collège Français
| QMJHL
| 68 || 12 || 26 || 38 || 195
| 8 || 0 || 3 || 3 || 33
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1991–92
1991–92 QMJHL season
The 1991–92 QMJHL season was the 23rd season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates the Molson Cup, awarded to the overall "Rookie of the Year," in addition to the existing Michel Bergeron Trophy and Raymond Lagacé Trophy.The top three scorers in the league,...
| Verdun Collège Français
Verdun Collège Français
Verdun Collège Français were a junior ice hockey team from Verdun, Quebec. They were members of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 1991 to 1994. Collège Français resurrected the dormant Quebec Remparts franchise in 1985 after a three year hiatus, as Longueuil Collège Français...
| QMJHL
| 65 || 18 || 24 || 42 || 283
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| 1992–93
1992–93 AHL season
The 1992–93 AHL season was the 57th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Binghamton Rangers finished first overall in the regular season with 124 points, a which holds to this day...
| Fredericton Canadiens
Fredericton Canadiens
The Fredericton Canadiens, or the 'Baby Habs' were a professional ice hockey team in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The Canadiens played their home games at the Aitken Centre...
| AHL
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...
| 76 || 11 || 3 || 14 || 261
| 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 8
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1993–94
1993–94 AHL season
The 1993–94 AHL season was the 58th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The St. John's Maple Leafs finished first overall in the regular season...
| Fredericton Canadiens
| AHL
| 62 || 38 || 28 || 66 || 250
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| 1993–94
| Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
| NHL
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...
| 14 || 2 || 2 || 4 || 34
| 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1994–95
1994–95 AHL season
The 1994–95 AHL season was the 59th season of the American Hockey League. The All-Star Game is revived, with All-Stars grouped into "Team Canada" and "Team USA." Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule...
| Fredericton Canadiens
| AHL
| 29 || 10 || 9 || 19 || 182
| 17 || 7 || 5 || 12 || 77
|-
| 1994–95
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 20 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 63
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1995–96
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 67 || 0 || 4 || 4 || 223
| 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2
|-
| 1996–97
| Montreal Canadiens
| NHL
| 10 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 38
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1996–97
| 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,...
| NHL
| 59 || 8 || 5 || 13 || 207
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| 1997–98
| Vancouver Canucks
| NHL
| 77 || 9 || 9 || 18 || 372
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1998–99
| Vancouver Canucks
| NHL
| 82 || 8 || 10 || 18 || 209
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| 1999–2000
| Vancouver Canucks
| NHL
| 60 || 11 || 2 || 13 || 136
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2000–01
| Vancouver Canucks
| NHL
| 79 || 9 || 19 || 28 || 145
| 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| 2001–02
| Vancouver Canucks
| NHL
| 31 || 5 || 8 || 13 || 90
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2001–02
| Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
| NHL
| 50 || 4 || 15 || 19 || 109
| 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 19
|-
| 2002–03
| Philadelphia Flyers
| NHL
| 80 || 8 || 17 || 25 || 161
| 13 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 21
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2003–04
| Philadelphia Flyers
| NHL
| 64 || 6 || 7 || 13 || 212
| 18 || 1 || 3 || 4 || 61
|-
| 2004–05
| Quebec Radio X
Quebec Radio X
Pont Rouge Lois Jeans was a hockey team based in Pont Rouge, Quebec. The team was part of the Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey .The team had been known by many names such as the Vanier Voyageurs, Quebec Ace, Beaupré Caron et Guay, Beaupré Aces and Quebec RadioX. After the 2007-08 season the team...
| LNAH
Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey
The Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey was founded in 2004 and is a low-level professional league based in the Canadian province of Quebec. It was called the Quebec Semi-Pro Hockey League from 1996 until it turned pro in 2004...
| 47 || 18 || 32 || 50 || 260
| 8 || 4 || 6 || 10 || 42
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2005–06
| Philadelphia Flyers
| NHL
| 76 || 4 || 5 || 9 || 166
| 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| 2006–07
| Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
| NHL
| 77 || 4 || 9 || 13 || 156
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2007–08
| Washington Capitals
| NHL
| 80 || 5 || 3 || 8 || 119
| 7 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 0
|-
| 2008–09
2008–09 NHL season
The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
| Washington Capitals
| NHL
| 63 || 1 || 3 || 4 || 121
| 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 18
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2009–10
2009–10 NHL season
The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010...
| New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
| NHL
| 36 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 73
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| 2009–10
2009–10 AHL season
The 2009–10 AHL season was the 74th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 regular-season games each from October 2 to April 11...
| Hartford Wolf Pack
Hartford Wolf Pack
The Connecticut Whale is a professional ice hockey team based in Hartford, Connecticut. They play in the American Hockey League . They play their home games at the XL Center....
| AHL
| 27 || 2 || 4 || 6 || 25
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2010–11
| Riviere-du-Loup 3L
| LNAH
| 28 || 17 || 14 || 31 || 66
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | NHL totals
! 1,025 !! 85 !! 120 !! 205 !! 2,634
! 60 !! 3 !! 6 !! 9 !! 121
International statistics
{| BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="0" width="75%" style="text-align:center"|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year
! Team
! Event
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" |
! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM
|- ALIGN="center"
| 1997
1997 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
- Group 2 :- Second Round 1-6 Place :Teams that had played each other in the first round carried those results forward. First and second place played off for gold, third and fourth for bronze.- Consolation Round 7-12 Place :...
| United States
| WC
Ice Hockey World Championships
The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
| 8 || 2 || 3 || 5 || 8
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1998
1998 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
-World Championship Group C :Played March 22-28 in Budapest, Székesfehérvár and Dunaújváros.- Group 1 :- Group 2 :- Final Round 25-28 Place :Hungary was promoted to Group B.- Consolation Round 29-32 Place :...
| United States
| WC
| 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 10
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | Totals
! 14 !! 2 !! 3 !! 5 !! 18
- All statistics taken from NHL.com
Mixed martial arts record
|-| Win
|align=center| 1-0
|
Mathieu Bergeron| TKO (punches)
| Ringside MMA
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:21
|Quebec City, Quebec
| MMA debut, first win
|-
See also
- Fighting in ice hockeyFighting in ice hockeyFighting in ice hockey is an established tradition of the sport in North America, with a long history involving many levels of amateur and professional play and including some notable individual fights. Although a definite source of criticism, it is a considerable draw for the sport, and some fans...
- List of ice hockey players of black African descent
- List of NHL players with 1000 games played
- List of NHL players with 2000 career penalty minutes