Andrew Brunette facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Andrew Brunette |
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Brunette as an alternate captain of the Colorado Avalanche in 2007
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| Born | August 24, 1973 Valley East, Ontario, Canada |
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| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 212 lb (96 kg; 15 st 2 lb) | ||
| Position | Left wing | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Washington Capitals Nashville Predators Atlanta Thrashers Minnesota Wild Colorado Avalanche Chicago Blackhawks |
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| Current NHL coach | Nashville Predators | ||
| Coached for | Florida Panthers | ||
| NHL Draft | 174th overall, 1993 Washington Capitals |
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| Playing career | 1993–2012 | ||
| Coaching career | 2014–present | ||
Andrew D. Brunette (born August 24, 1973) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. He is currently the head coach for the Nashville Predators in the National Hockey League (NHL).
As a player, Brunette played over 1,100 games in the NHL. He played for teams like the Washington Capitals, Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, Minnesota Wild, Colorado Avalanche, and Chicago Blackhawks. His playing career lasted from 1996 to 2012. After retiring as a player, Brunette became a coach. He has been an assistant coach for the Minnesota Wild and New Jersey Devils. He also served as the interim head coach for the Florida Panthers.
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Becoming a Hockey Star
Andrew Brunette grew up in a small town called Valley East, Ontario, near Greater Sudbury. He started playing hockey at a young age with the Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats.
Joining the OHL
After playing well in his Midget season in 1989–90, Andrew was chosen by the Owen Sound Platers. This was part of the 1990 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection. He played alongside other future NHL players like Kirk Maltby and Kevin Weekes.
Brunette played for the Platers for three seasons, from 1990 to 1993. He scored an amazing 295 points in 195 games. In 1993, he won the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy, which is given to the OHL's top scorer. Because of his great performance, the Washington Capitals drafted him in 1993. He was the 174th player chosen overall in the 1993 NHL entry draft.
Starting in the NHL
After being drafted, Brunette played for a few different teams in minor leagues. He played for the Hampton Roads Admirals in the ECHL. Then he moved to the American Hockey League (AHL), playing for the Providence Bruins and Portland Pirates.
Brunette stayed with the Portland Pirates until 1998. However, he was called up to play for the Washington Capitals in the 1995–96 NHL season. He played 11 NHL games that season. Over the next few years, he played 51 more games for Washington.
Moving to New Teams
In 1998, the Nashville Predators chose Andrew Brunette in the 1998 NHL expansion draft. He made history by scoring the Predators' first-ever goal!
After playing for the Predators in their first season (1998–99), he joined the new Atlanta Thrashers team. He played two seasons there before moving to the Minnesota Wild in the 2001–02 NHL season.
Big Goals and Milestones
Andrew Brunette scored a very important goal for the Wild on April 22, 2003. It was the winning goal in overtime of Game 7 against the Colorado Avalanche. This game was also the last one for famous Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy. Brunette played for the Wild until 2004.
After a break in the 2004–05 season due to a league lockout, he signed with the Colorado Avalanche. He scored another series-winning goal for the Avalanche on April 30, 2006. This goal helped them win against the Dallas Stars in the playoffs.
The 2006–07 NHL season was his best year as a player. He scored more than one point per game, playing on a line with superstar center Joe Sakic. On October 26, 2007, Brunette reached his 500th NHL career point. He played three full 82-game seasons with the Avalanche.
Returning to Minnesota
On July 1, 2008, Brunette signed a three-year contract to play for the Minnesota Wild again. On October 9, he was named an alternate captain for the team.
Andrew Brunette was known for being very tough and consistent. He played in 509 games in a row without missing any due to injury, from 2002 to 2009. Even when he was diagnosed with a torn ACL (a knee injury) in his right knee, he kept playing. He finished the 2008–09 NHL season before having surgery in the off-season.
Final Playing Years
On July 1, 2011, Brunette signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. In the 2011–12 NHL season, he had a smaller role and scored 27 points in 78 games. This was his lowest point total in his career.
After the 2012–13 NHL season started late due to a lockout, Andrew Brunette announced his retirement from playing hockey on February 13, 2013. He then rejoined the Minnesota Wild organization as an advisor for their hockey operations.
Coaching Career
Andrew Brunette started his coaching career as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Wild. He held this role for two seasons, starting in the 2014–15 NHL season. He also served as the Wild's assistant general manager until the end of the 2018–19 NHL season.
Joining the Florida Panthers
On June 4, 2019, he became an assistant coach for the Florida Panthers. On October 29, 2021, Brunette was named the interim head coach of the Panthers. This happened after the previous head coach resigned.
The Panthers played well under Brunette, but they lost in the second round of the playoffs. On June 22, 2022, the Panthers announced that Paul Maurice would be their new head coach. Brunette was offered another important job within the Panthers organization, but he decided to leave. He took an assistant coaching position with the New Jersey Devils.
Leading the Nashville Predators
After one season with the New Jersey Devils, Andrew Brunette was named the head coach of the Nashville Predators. This happened on May 31, 2023. He had previously played for the Predators during his career.
Images for kids
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Brunette as an alternate captain of the Colorado Avalanche in 2007
See also
In Spanish: Andrew Brunette para niños
