Brown on the NHL's newest fitness testing protocols, his experience with Jim Hiller and expectations for the Devils this season

0:00Hi, this is Dave Roberts. Heading into summer without a medical emergency kit, that's a risk. Summer colds can linger and getting sick on vacation can derail everything. That's why everyone needs a medical emergency kit. It includes doctor prescribed medications to treat common and serious illnesses. So if you wake up sick, at home or on the road, you already have what you need. It's like having an urgent care and pharmacy at home. Say $45 with code blue at urgentcarekit.com slash blue urgent care kit.com slash blue. All right, so let's get to Connor Brown, who's online with us right now. A forward for the New Jersey Devils, formally the Toronto Maple Leafs. Connor has going welcome back on overdrive. Yeah, I know it's going good guys. How you guys doing? Yeah, we're doing well. Kind of summers wrapping up coming to an end. How do your summer go? It was good. I always goes by quick. You know, our little man was keeping us very busy, a little time on the lake, family time was great.

1:00But I'm excited to get going here. So Connor, you know, you talk about a quick summer. We were just talking about the new format of the NHL season with the newly expanded regular season schedule from 82 to 84 games and the shrunken preseason schedule where a lot of teams are only playing on two nights. Split squad, home and homes on two separate nights. A maximum of four preseason games and most guys, I think veteran players don't have to play more than two. Very, very quick training camp. But what do you think that's going to mean for the NHL this season? I personally like it. I think, you know, I like the quick training camp. Guys, guys come to camp in shape at this point, you know, and if it's not, it's kind of on you. And, you know, it's up to you to be a professional. And, you know, you get a lot of the good work and practice, you know, whether it's these own work or battles. And, you know, so I think two preseason games is plenty.

2:01You know, the season's long enough. I don't think we need, I think I've played five or six before. So, you know, two is plenty and, you know, just hit the ground runner. And, you know, we had Dylan Strohm on the other day and he was reminding us that another part of the new look NHL that was negotiated by the players was the end of fitness testing. Where are you on? Strohm, I love that one. Where were you on fitness testing ground? Did you like it? Hated or where did you stand on the fitness testing question? It depends what test. I mean, it put me on a treadmill. I'm pretty good on there. But if you had me bench press, I think I'd come dead last. It really depended on which test that I was doing. But I think, like I said, it's the same type of thing. You know, he never really seen a guy make a team to strictly on a fitness test. You know, the games played on the ice, you know, the fitness has really come from making yourself a better hockey player and also staying healthy.

3:03So, I think it's great. I mean, like I said, guys are just as prepared. It's not like anyone's coming in full milk bag because there's no fitness testing. I mean, you know, it's going to shine through in your game. So, I really like the adjustments that the PA has made. With Connor Brown, we're talking about a little bit earlier in the show. There was a big kind of massive overhaul here in the city of Toronto, new GM coaches and lots of new players. You know, you guys got some new faces in New Jersey. And I'm curious from a players perspective with a GM shift going, you know, from Fitzgerald and to Sonny Meta. What's going on in your head when that stuff's going on throughout the summer? Do you ever think about that to the players think about, okay, is there going to be, you know, a coaching change, a philosophy change? Like, well, what's the future here with me? Well, of course, I think like any business, a lot of the time comes down from the top down. And so, you know, when you get a new general manager, it's usually a different feel.

4:06It's a different feel around the rank. It's a different feel about, you know, what type of game we're going to play, what type of players we're bringing in. What's expected? So, for me, you know, I'm excited. I think we have already, you know, a lot of really great pieces. I think that we've brought in a lot of really highly skilled players. You know, a really deep team. And, you know, me personally, I'm hungry to try to win. Obviously, I had a taste and was pretty close a few times in Edmonton. So, I've been really excited at the ads that Sonny's made. And, you know, it's still a group that needs to take some steps. And it's one step at a time. But, you know, I have a lot of a lot of belief in our team here. And, you know, the nucleus that we have and the players that we've added. Connor, Joe from the bridge are esteemed technical producer here. Very, very keenly citing that you're wearing the Miscoka hockey hat there. We've been hearing, we've been hearing a lot about the Miscoka skates. This summer that the number one overall pick who's now in Maple Leaf has been up there.

5:07And did you catch any looks at Mr. Gavin McKenna when you were up there skating? And what else did you see? No, I was back in Jersey when they when I think did that camp up there. You know, Sam Gagne, who runs that and, you know, you know, you're the mastermind behind a Miscoka. And I said, you're welcome for the free ad. But, you know, it's, it's a fun place to play. You know, obviously we have a place up in Miscoka and it's just an incredible spot to spend the summers. And, you know, Sam's done an incredible job bringing so many good players up there. And it's just a, you know, it's a great place to hang out in the summer and also get better. So, you know, good for him. And with Connor Brown, formally the Maple Leafs and when you were here with Toronto, Jim Hiller was an assistant with the team. Just curious, you know, he's back now with the Maple Leafs. Now, what can you tell us about him as a coach and your experience with Jim?

6:08I absolutely love Jimmy. He was incredible for me. You know, he really was a personable coach played. I think he really understands the game. And, you know, obviously that was a very much a different role at the time. You know, you're being an assistant to the forwards and more of a helping hand. And, you know, sometimes Babs will be barking down at me. And so he'd have to communicate it down and he'd soften the blow. But, you know, Jimmy was great. And, you know, I'm happy to see him land up there. I think he's going to do a great job in Toronto. And, you know, they have, you know, Toronto has so many great pieces. So, you know, I'm sure everyone's expected a big bounce back season from them. How about you, Connor? Obviously it's, you're deep in your career now. What is this? Year 12 for you coming up. I mean, when you've gone into this off season, is there anything you kind of were focused on working on to sort of to make yourself the best you can be coming into the new year? How do you look at the off seasons at this point in your great career?

7:12Yeah, I think, you know, early in my career, you know, being a late pick, I used to live on the ice. You know, I'd kind of, you know, hit the pavement every day. And, you know, now after you're coming to, you know, two finals runs and you know, I was lucky enough to play in the World Championships last year. So, you know, played a little longer. Not as many hours on the ice in the summer. You know, a lot of time focused on the health and a little bit more strategic when I go on the ice, you know, focus on little things that I think could help me, you know, whether it's shooting or turning or little things that you pick up along the way. So, I think I think it's a little bit more, you know, less just hammering the pavement a little bit more systematic and analytical about the summers. Well, Connor really appreciated taking the time out of out of your days. Only a couple of free days left until you got to get back out onto the ice. You're back in Jersey, skating yet? What do you expect to start ramping it up or have you already? Yeah, yeah. Most of the boys have already rolled into Jersey. I think a lot of guys are excited. So, you know, a few golf games still ahead of me before the season gets going, but, you know, guys around the ice and working out together.

8:18So, you know, it's always a fun time here when the boys start rolling in. And so, we're excited. You guys got a fantasy football draft coming up at all. It's the situation there in Jersey. Yeah, yeah. Monday night, Jonathan Colby's savages are GM and he's already taken assault and there hasn't been one pick made. So, it's always fun. Like I said, those are the type of things that you, you know, you love. It's exciting to get back in the room and you just, you know, the banter and whatnot. So, it's an exciting time. Well, Connor really appreciate taking the time. I'm hoping for, you know, good season for you guys. Nice bounce back here for Devils. And again, enjoy the rest of your summer and best of luck next year. Yeah, no problems, your boys. Absolutely. Connor Brown of the new Jersey Devils. Hi, this is Dave Roberts. Heading into summer without a medical emergency kit, that's a risk. Summer colds can linger and getting sick on vacation can derail everything. That's why everyone needs a medical emergency kit.

9:18It includes doctor prescribed medications to treat common and serious illnesses. So, if you wake up sick, at home or on the road, you already have what you need. It's like having an urgent care and pharmacy at home. Say $45 with code blue at urgentcarekit.com. Slash blue. Urgentcarekit.com. Slash blue.