Emily Brown Bio
Emily Brown is an American ice hockey defender for the Seattle Torrent of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), where she serves as an alternate captain. She previously played for the Boston Fleet of the PWHL and has a distinguished collegiate career with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, where she was co-captain and achieved multiple All-WCHA honors. Known for her strong defensive skills, Brown has also represented the United States in international competitions, earning a gold medal at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in 2016. Balancing her athletic career, she pursued a degree in mechanical engineering and has been active in the PWHL since 2022.
Early Life and Background
Emily Brown was born on December 30, 1998, in Blaine, Minnesota. She is one of four children in her family. During her high school career at Blaine High School, Brown was a standout three-sport athlete, excelling in ice hockey, soccer, and track and field. She earned a total of 12 varsity letters and served as captain for all three sports during her senior year. In her senior season, she recorded an impressive 45 points, leading her team to a runner-up finish at the Minnesota State Class AA Tournament. Her achievements earned her recognition as a finalist for the 2017 Ms. Hockey Award, which honors the top senior girls’ high school hockey player in Minnesota.
Brown’s high school accomplishments included being named to the USA Today High School Sports All-USA Second Team for ice hockey in both 2016 and 2017. She was also a two-time member of the Minnesota State Class AA all-tournament team. Additionally, she received the Herb Brooks Award in 2017, recognizing her as the most qualified player at the Minnesota Girls’ AA state ice hockey tournament.
Path to Hockey
Emily Brown played club ice hockey for the Minnesota Junior Whitecaps and participated in the Upper Midwest High School Elite League. Following her successful high school career, she joined the Minnesota Golden Gophers women’s ice hockey program, where she played five seasons in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) conference. Throughout her collegiate career, she played in every game of her first four seasons and ended with a remarkable 167 games played, ranking second in the program’s history. She earned All-WCHA honors four times and was recognized as a WCHA Scholar-Athlete for four consecutive years.
During her time with the Golden Gophers, Brown developed a reputation as a shutdown defender known for her physical play and shot-blocking ability. She served as co-captain for two seasons and captain for one season, leading her team to significant achievements, including an NCAA Tournament runner-up finish in 2019. Her contributions on the ice were complemented by her academic success, as she majored in mechanical engineering while balancing her rigorous studies with her hockey commitments.
Emily Brown Career
Early Career (2022-2023)
After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2022, Emily Brown joined the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA), where she was assigned to Team Sonnet for the 2022-23 season. The team featured a roster of notable players and competed in showcases across North America. Brown played in 20 games for Team Sonnet, contributing to their championship victory in March 2023. Following the establishment of the Professional Women’s Hockey League in 2023, she was drafted by PWHL Boston and signed to a one-year contract.
Breakthrough (2023-2024)
In the inaugural 2023-24 PWHL season, Emily Brown made her mark with the Boston Fleet, recording one goal and three assists in 24 regular season games. Her strong defensive presence was crucial to the team’s success, particularly during the playoffs. Brown’s physical style of play and ability to stay within legal contact limits made her an important part of the Fleet’s defensive core, contributing to their Walter Cup finals appearance during the inaugural PWHL season.
Notable Works and Milestones
Emily Brown’s signature achievements include her gold medal win at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in 2016 and her multiple All-WCHA honors during her collegiate career. She has established herself as a reliable defender in the PWHL, known for her shutdown defensive style and leadership qualities.
Emily Brown Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Emily Brown has received several nominations and accolades, including recognition as a WCHA Scholar-Athlete and a member of the WCHA All-Academic Team.
Emily Brown Awards Won
Emily Brown has won notable awards, including a gold medal at the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in 2016 and being named to the WCHA All-Academic Team in 2022.
Emily Brown Family
Emily Brown was born into a family of four children. Her parents are Deb and Brian Brown, who have supported her athletic pursuits from a young age.
Personal Life
Outside of hockey, Emily Brown is pursuing a career in mechanical engineering. She has completed internships, including work at Boston Scientific, where she contributed to process improvements. Additionally, Brown is an out member of the LGBTQ community.