The Toronto Maple Leafs signed a fifteen year old Arnie in the parking lot of the Civic Arena. They sent him to St. Michael’s College where he first played Midget, then Junior B and in 1961 with the Junior A Majors winning the Memorial Cup.
Arnie signed with the Maple Leafs in 1961 but was returned to finish his junior eligibility. In 1963 Arnie started playing professional in Rochester of the AHL and was promoted to the parent Toronto Maple Leafs. In 1964 he was traded to the New York Rangers were he played for seven years.
Arnie’s career then took him to Detroit Red Wings, the New York Islanders and the Atlanta Flames, playing a total of 703 NHL games. Arnie also played 70 games in the WHA, finishing his playing career with the Vancouver Blazers.
He became an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL in 1977-78 before starting a 25 year career with the Monsanto Chemical Company.
After retirement Arnie returned to the Apsley area and was elected to council for the Municipality of North Kawartha in 2004. He continued to contribute to hockey through the operation of his hockey school.
He is survived by his loving wife Sandra, daughter Stephanie, son David (Emily) and grandsons Michael and Steven.
Arnie was a proud Canadian small town boy (Apsley, Ontario), St. Michael’s College (Toronto) graduate, professional hockey player with the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings, loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, successful businessman,… local community council member, lifelong cottager of Long Lake, Ontario, hunter and fisherman.
He faced life with determination, tenacity, courage, passion and commitment to never, ever, give up or give in without giving it your all.
Memorial to take place Saturday, August 3, 2019 from 1 to 4 pm at the North Kawartha Community Center, 340 McFadden Road, Apsley, Ontario K0L 1A0.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Arnie’s name to the Apsley Minor Hockey Association or St. Michael’s College. Details below.
Apsley Minor Hockey Association (AMHA)
Mail: Payable to AMHA Electronic transfer:
[email protected]
PO Box 174
Apsley, Ontario
K0L 1A0
St. Michael’s College
St. Michael’s College School SMCS
1515 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M5P 3H4
Memo area marked In Memory of Arnie Brown
Or online at smcsgive.com
(Information obtained from the Peterborough & District Sports Hall of Fame and Mr. Brown's Obituary)