Coyotes defenseman Josh Brown's evolution well suited for improving defense
Josh Brown slid under the radar for the Arizona Coyotes defense corps, but has become hard to miss on the ice.
From his intimidating size on the blue line at 6'5" to his willingness drop the gloves, Brown has become a stable force on the Coyotes' improving defense this season.
For Brown, who was up and down from the American Hockey League to the NHL from 2015-19, the Coyotes were an attractive place to sign with during this year’s free agency with opportunities to earn big minutes.
“Brownie needed to be believed in. I talked to a lot of guys who work with him and around him and they had a lot of good stuff to say about him. They were saying that this guy has untapped potential,” Coyotes head coach Andre Tourigny said.
While Brown is mostly known for being a traditional defenseman, he’s shown other facets to his game. Brown tied his personal best with his third goal in Friday’s 4-3 win over the Bruins when Brown joined in on the rush and released a pass from Matias Maccelli to score 23 seconds into the game.
“We all know he’s really tough and he can fight, but he’s more than that,” Tourigny said. “Now he has room to play because he’s respected and on top of that, he’s more confident and poised.”
Brown leads all Coyotes defensemen with 49 blocked shots. Brown and defensive partner J.J. Moser have a combined 96 blocked shots.
His growing confidence has translated well for others around him. In the defensive zone, the Coyotes have been a sound unit. The team holds the fewest takeaways against in the defensive zone in the NHL with 34 on the season.
“I just think, when in a rebuild, we all know our roles,” Brown said. “These teams come in and just think they’re going to steamroll us. We all just come together as a group. The coaches have been great with me and have been giving me more ice time, which helps with confidence and taking that next step in your game.”
Brown’s understanding of his role as a shutdown defenseman made a strong case for him earning minutes on the oft-used penalty kill unit. Brown has the second-most minutes on the penalty kill with 84:13 minutes.
Sunday’s 5-4 overtime win over the Philadelphia Flyers was a promising showing for the Coyotes’ penalty kill unit with the team not giving up a power play goal for the first time since Nov. 23.
“They add the extra man, so they’re expected to score,” Brown said. “If you can shut down some of the best players in the world and clear that puck and kill that penalty, it gets the guys fired up and me fired up. It’s just always been my thing.”
Reach the reporter at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com or 602-647-4122. Follow her on Twitter @jennarortiz.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Josh Brown's evolution driving factor in Coyotes' improving defense
