High Flying: Deerfield Senior Brandon Brown, A Leader On And Off The Ice

Defenseman Brandon Brown is the senior captain of the Deerfield JV Hockey Team, focused on improving his play on the ice and that of his teammates, especially the underclassman. His off-ice dedication is just as admirable.

“I’m excited to play and contribute to my team in my senior year. I just like to play hockey. I enjoy leading the younger players on the team and providing them with positive reinforcement to help them excel at the sport,” said Brown, 17, who lives in Riverwoods. “Sticking with hockey (after not making the varsity) has taught me a lot about myself. Some might have quit senior year if they had to play JV, but I didn’t. For me, hockey has always been about more than stick handling, skating or hockey IQ. It’s pushed me to build discipline, learn how to lead under pressure and figure out how to multi-task—especially as a defenseman. Those lessons have shaped me both on and off the ice.”

Brown is in his sixth season playing hockey. A left-handed shooter in jersey No. 3, Brown formerly skated for the Highland Park Falcons. He was an assistant captain this past spring and is the team captain this season.

Brown skated for Deerfield as a sophomore in the JV team’s win over arch-rival Highland Park. He is a leader on and off the ice – and a large credit goes to his cousin, Emack Bentley, who Brown said, “is like a big brother to me.”

Bentley played youth hockey and later collegiate at Middlebury College.

Brown’s hockey highlight was winning his first-ever tournament as a sophomore, and this past season he came off the bench to help his team score a goal in the closing minutes of a game against Highland Park.

“The most memorable game (last season) was the final game in a tournament in Madison, Wisc., where we won the tournament during a shootout,” he said. “I’m looking forward to a good year and having fun in my senior year.”

Away from the rink, Brown is a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol cadet program. The Civil Air Patrol is the civilian auxiliary to the Air Force, “where we learn military bearing, discipline, character, leadership and aerospace-related activities,” he said. “We also participate in emergency services in search and rescue operations.” He has been a cadet for a year and a half and ranks as a Cadet Senior Master Sergeant and is first sergeant in his squadron, where he is responsible for 54 cadets.

“I wanted to join the Air Force, but I did more research on the U.S. Navy, and naval aviation. In my opinion, they are the most highly trained pilots in the world. I am fascinated by aircraft carrier operations, which are the leading reasons I want to join the Navy.

“Since I was a little kid, I’ve been fascinated with flying. My favorite movie was Planes – I knew every line by heart, and to me, it was even better than Cars. That early love for aviation never went away. In high school, I had the chance to attend NASA Space Camp in Hunstville, Alabama. I participated in the NASA Advanced Space Academy and Aviation Challenge, Mach 3. During the Aviation Challenge Program, I participated in simulated air combat, where I shot down 12 aircraft and ranked as one of the top pilots in the program. I also had the opportunity to work with equipment that astronauts used, which gave me an incredible perspective on the world of aerospace.”

Brown added: “These experiences, along with my involvement in Civil Air Patrol, have fueled my lifelong dream of becoming a pilot. In Civil Air Patrol, I have been promoted seven times in just a year and a half. I now hold the rank of Cadet Senior Master Sergeant while serving as a First Sergeant. Rising through the ranks so quickly has been an incredible experience, but what I value most is the chance to lead, mentor and support other cadets. These roles have taught me discipline, responsibility and leadership under pressure—qualities that will carry with me as I continue working toward my dream of flying.”

Brown also is a chaplain for the North Shore chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. At Deerfield, he is a member of the school’s Human Rights Club, Mosaic and the Deerfield High School rocketry club (DASA).

SLAPSHOTS WITH … Deerfield Defenseman Brandon Brown

Long-term Goals: “I want to be a Navy pilot, flying the F-35 or E-2 Hawkeye (planes).”