By Sam Laskaris /
They had to wait awhile but the Toronto Maple Leafs’ brass is finding out that Tim Brent can indeed be a rather productive member of its organization.
The Maple Leafs signed Brent, a sixth-year pro, to a free agent contract this past July. But his chances of starting the season with the Leafs ended when he freakishly tore a pectoral muscle during his first exhibition game with the club in Pittsburgh this past September.
“I had never heard of it,” Brent said of his injury. “Everybody I’ve talked to says, ‘you tore your pectoral muscle? Who does that?’ “
There was some speculation the 25-year-old centre would have to sit out the entire 2009/10 campaign following his early October surgery. But he completely recovered by January and has been playing rather well for the Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate Toronto Marlies since then.
Brent collected 12 points (6G, 6A) in his first 12 games with the Marlies.
Being a player who pretty much averages a point per game is nothing new for Brent.
“It’s something I’ve been doing the last few years,” said Brent, who had 62 points, including 20 goals, in 64 games last season with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs.
Besides the fact he recovered much quicker than originally anticipated, Brent, a native of Cambridge, Ont., said another positive from his pre-season mishap was that it occurred while he was a member of the Maple Leafs’ organization.
“This would have been a lot worse injury had I been anywhere else,” said Brent, who had his surgery in Cleveland but then underwent his rehab while in Toronto. “I had so much support here from family and friends.”
Yet it was also still rather tough having to watch the Marlies, who have had their share of struggles this season.
“I tell everybody I’m not a great spectator when it comes to hockey,” he said. “I was frustrated that I couldn’t help out.”
Brent is no stranger to Toronto, about an hour’s drive east of Cambridge. He spent his four-year Junior career (2000 to 2004) with the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors of the Ontario Hockey League.
So, he’s rather glad to be back in Toronto. Brent said he also had plenty of opportunities to join other NHL clubs as a free agent.
“I had eight offers the first day (that teams could officially talk to free agents), which was nice,” he said. So why did he pick Toronto?
“There were a bunch of reasons,” he said. “They offered me a good deal and it was nice and close to home. And I felt there was a good opportunity to move up in the organization (to the NHL).”
Brent has already had some tastes of life in the NHL. He played 15 games with Anaheim Ducks during the 2006/07 season. The following year he appeared in one match with the Pittsburgh Penguins. And then last year he suited up for two contests with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Since the Leafs are in a youth movement, he is hoping to be summoned to the big leagues soon and prove he can play well at that level as well.
“I feel old in the fact I’ve played pro for six years,” he said. “But they’ve got guys here who are 23 and just out of college. That’s not too much younger than me.” |