Your Friendly Neighborhood Dustin Brown

Way to go Brownie. I’ve had a soft spot for Brown since he took the Kings by storm. Entering the NHL the same year he was drafted, Brown has made an immediate impact as a gritty, player with a lot of heart. And he’s not too bad at scoring either, putting up solid if not spectacular point totals in the last several seasons. Well good news Kings fans. Along with Drew Doughty and his Norris Trophy nomination, Dustin Brown has been named a finalist for the NHL Foundation Player Award. The award is given to a current player’s charity that “embodies the core values of the NHL — commitment, perseverance and teamwork — to enrich the lives of people in his community.” Sounds like Dustin Brown to me! Brown is a finalist for the second season in a row, clearly demonstrating a committment to the community that is impressive. Here are a few clips from the official NHL announcement:

Dustin Brown
(Courtesy: Los Angeles
Kings)

"Brown is a finalist for the second consecutive season in recognition for his continued involvement in Kings charitable activities and his leadership in soliciting the involvement of his fellow players. He rallied his teammates around multiple causes this season, resulting in matching donations of $40,000 to the Kings Community Corner ticket program and the American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. For his efforts, Brown was selected as the Kings’ Most Popular Player, was a recipient of the Kings Community Service Award for the second consecutive year and was the Kings’ nominee for the 2009-10 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.This season, Brown continued his partnership with KaBOOM!, a non-profit organization with the mission of providing a place to play within walking distance of every child in America, in an attempt to combat childhood obesity. For the second straight year, Brown committed $50 for each of his hits in the regular-season and playoffs. With matching contributions offered by the Farmer John organization, the money raised will help the organization build new playgrounds in Southern California.Brown is a spokesperson for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund and encourages fans to support the Kings 4 Kids Night, which raises nearly $25,000 annually for the organization. He is a supporter of the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and the Child Abuse Prevention Center, and he participates in all Kings community initiatives — including his personal favorite, the Adopt-a-Family program, through which players provide holiday gifts for underprivileged families. In August 2009, Brown also became the face of the Kings’ $500,000 initiative with the Blood Donor Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, lending his name and likeness to the look and creative design of the L.A. Kings Bloodmobile. In 2009, he was named the Los Angeles Kings‘ “Hometown Hero” at the Southern California Sports Choice Awards and recognized as a 2009 Outstanding Young Californian by the California Jaycees Foundation and the California Junior Chamber for his “commitment to challenge and inspire California’s youth.”"

Brown has performed well as a hockey player, but it’s great to know that Dustin is more than just a talked, hard-nosed, checking athlete. He is a genuinely nice guy who is willing and able to give back to his community and the people around him. Well done Brownie. And good luck in Vegas. Two individual trophies won’t eliminate the blow of losing in the 1st round, but it couldn’t hurt.