 Rookie forward Tyler G. Brown is featured in this edition of “Breaking the Ice with…” The feature showcases different Whalers so we can get to know them.
Selected by Plymouth in the 11th round (219th overall) in the 2007 OHL Entry Draft, Brown shares his name with teammate Tyler J. Brown. They are only the second group of players with the same name to play on the same team together in the OHL. He notched his first career point with an assist vs. Guelph on January 5. The Wasaga Beach, Ontario , native, took a few minutes before an off-season workout to help us break the ice and chat about his thoughts when he saw his name drafted in 2 different rounds, who would win in a race between him and speedster Vern Cooper, and what the 'G' stands for in Tyler G. Brown. » On the best advice he has been given… “My dad told me to never give up and keep skating.” » On how he started playing hockey… “I first learned how to play hockey in the West Edmonton Mall, which is where the Edmonton Oilers practice. We were there for a vacation and my dad taught me by holding his hands and being pushed around the rink.”  » On his youth hockey highlight…
“Winning the OMHA’s (Ontario Minor Hockey Association) in novice for Wasaga Beach – my hometown. Then last year, I won the All-Ontario’s playing for the Penetang Kings.” » On other championships he has won… “I won a couple basketball championships, golf. I play ball hockey and golf in the summer when I have time. I work and stuff, so I don’t have time for any other sports.” » On his most embarrassing hockey moment… ”In minor hockey, I stepped on the ice with my skate guards on and didn’t notice for awhile.” » On who has influenced him in hockey… “My dad.”  » On his most memorable goal…
“My first OHL goal against Sarnia (March 15). (AJ) Jenks came down the boards and took a shot and I got the rebound and put it in.” » On other members of his family playing hockey… “My dad went far in hockey. He was going to be drafted by the New Jersey Devils, but there was an incident and some stuff happened where it didn’t work out. Also, my brother, Cody, is involved in hockey. Hopefully he’ll be playing in the OHL some day soon.” » On if he has played with any of the guys before… “I played against Tom Kane in AAA my minor midget year in a hockey tournament.” » On his dad flying planes and if he does… “I think it would be really hard to be a pilot, but I always enjoy flying.”  » On having another Tyler Brown on the team…
“It was weird to see it come up (on the draft sheet). I saw the first Tyler Brown get drafted and I didn’t know there was another Tyler Brown in the draft. So I see my name, which I thought it was, get drafted in the 8th round and then it said ‘BelleTire’ which was weird, but I figured they must have gotten the wrong information up. Then I’m sitting there wondering why I’m not getting a phone call to tell me. Later on, then my name pops up again in the 11th round, so I looked it up and realized there was another Tyler Brown. It was just weird that we both got drafted by the same team in the same year, just in different rounds.” » On what the 'G' stands for in Tyler G. Brown… “George.” » On billet life… “My billets are great. Mark and Lindsay (Hill) have really taken me in as one of their own kids and I appreciate it.” » On who he tries to model his game after… “Joe Sakic.” » On what he should bring to the team… “Just a good forechecker, give the team some energy and stuff, and use my speed.” » On who would win in a race between him and Vern Cooper… “It would be a good race, so maybe we should try it sometime.” » On the toughest player he has played against… “(Steven) Stamkos.” » On his rookie year adjustments… “I had to work really hard for my ice time. Nothing was handed to me, so I had to work really hard.” » On his favorite class… “Gym.”  » On if he has any superstitions…
“Not really, but if I play a bad game then I’ll try to switch things up.” » On if he has any nicknames… “Brownie, Browner, TG.” » On his typical day… “Get up around 7:30 since I don’t have first hour. I go to school until 1 and then come to the rink for practice. That lasts from 2 until about 4. After that I head home, do some homework, and just relax.” » On his pre-game routine… “I wake up around 10 and have a good breakfast. I usually go for a walk or easy job. I have a pre-game meal and head to the rink around 5.” » On his dream goal… “I’ll say the same thing as everyone else – Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, it’s overtime, and I come down the wing and go cheese.” » On if there is anything behind his jersey number 12… “I picked #10 because that is my brother’s favorite number, so I thought I’d pick that for him. I’ve never really been picky about my number, so it didn’t matter. I had to give up #10, so I picked 12 because it was the best out of all the ones I had to choose from.” » On what he'd be doing if he didn't play hockey… “Probably working at the golf course behind my house.” » On what reality TV show he'd be on… “The show, ‘My Wife and Kids.’ It’s not a reality show, but I’d be Kyle, the dad.”  » On the funniest thing that has happened on the road…
“What happens on the road, stays on the road.” » On his funniest teammate… “Vern Cooper.” » On what one thing he could not live without… “Hockey.” » On his dream vacation… “Cancun.” » On the person he'd most like to meet… “Sidney Crosby.” » On his summer plans… “Work and play some Wednesday night hockey with my boss – Roy Mundy. He used to play hockey in Germany and stuff, so he helps me out. My hometown is a beach town. There’s lots of surfing and stuff like that.” » On a rule change he'd make in hockey… “Neckguards.” » On what other players he would want on the ice with him… “I’ll take center, so on the left I’ll have Maurice Richard and Sidney Crosby. On ‘D’ will be Ray Bourque and Bobby Orr. Goalie – (Patrick) Roy.” -Natalie Shaver, April 15th, 2008- -- Other Players' "Breaking the Ice" Features -- | 
