Editor’s note: This article went to press before TJ Brennan was signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 5.
From St. John’s in Newfoundland, Canada, to Portland Ore., to Rochester and Buffalo, N.Y., as well as a brief stop in Florida,
Moorestown native TJ Brennan is still hoping to make a name for himself playing in the National Hockey League.
He will have another opportunity to do so once the season begins in October, this time in Nashville.
Brennan, a defenseman, was traded from the Florida Panthers to the Nashville Predators on June 14 in exchange for forward Bobby Butler.
“This is part of the game. My responsibility is to stay focused and stay true to myself,” Brennan said.
The former Moorestown Quaker made his NHL debut in 2012 with the Buffalo Sabres, scoring his first goal in his first game against the Boston Bruins, an experience Brennan described as “surreal.”
He continued to split time between the Sabres and their American Hockey League affiliate in Rochester until Buffalo traded him to the Florida Panthers in March for a draft pick.
The bouncing around between teams and leagues admittedly has been difficult, Brennan said, but he has been able to lean on his support network.
“It is still amazing how much support I’ve gotten from the community and from my family and friends back home,” Brennan said.
“It’s definitely been tough at times but it’s great to know how much support I have.”
In his time with Buffalo and Florida last season, Brennan had one goal in 10 games with the Sabres, and two goals and seven assists in 19 games with the Panthers.
Brennan also had 14 goals and 21 assists in 36 games with Rochester.
A young player who has been traded twice in three months and who will be on his third team in just two seasons can be looked at in one of two ways.
One is that the player has failed to make an impact and will not be given many more opportunities to showcase his skills until eventually he is no longer in the league.
The other is that the player has shown enough in flashes that teams will continue to give him a shot.
For Brennan, he hopes it is the latter.
“There are a lot of players at the NHL level, and not much separates one player from the next when playing at the highest level. I know it’s important to be mentally focused and concentrate on the details,” Brennan said. “I know what to do, I just need to be more consistent.”
Brennan will spend part of the offseason here in Moorestown playing roller hockey as well as spending time with friends and family.
He said that with a new team and new city awaiting him, the time spent at home would be especially valued.
