Clutch Performer and Beast Assistant Captain MacLean Back for 2017-18
Brampton Beast Media Release
BRAMPTON, ONTARIO – The Brampton Beast, ECHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, are proud to announce that 2016-17 Beast assistant captain and Kelly Cup champion Brandon MacLean has signed a Standard Player Contract (SPC) to return to Brampton for the upcoming 2017-18 ECHL season.
The 29-year-old Burlington, Ontario native is coming off a great season with the Beast in 2016-17. The 6’0” lefty was a consistent threat in both ends of the ice and finished the season with 22 goals and 33 helpers for 55 points in just 64 games played.
He hit his stride during the club’s inaugural Kelly Cup playoff run and led the team in goal-scoring, lighting the lamp four times in just 12 playoff contests.
Fans in Brampton will certainly remember MacLean’s otherworldly postseason performance against the Reading Royals in Game Five of the North Division Semifinals at the Powerade Centre on April 22. Not only did MacLean open the scoring, he would later score the franchise’s first ever double-overtime game-winning goal to help propel the Beast to victory.
Still, last season’s overtime winner is not the biggest goal of MacLean’s career. During the 2012 Kelly Cup Playoffs as a member of the Florida Everblades, MacLean scored the overtime cup-clinching goal in Game Five of the Kelly Cup Finals, lifting the Everblades to their first ECHL championship over the Las Vegas Wranglers.
MacLean also has a wealth of American Hockey League experience under his belt. He first appeared in the AHL during the 2013-14 season with the Rochester Americans and appeared in seven games, scoring one goal. He spent the next season as a member of the Winnipeg Jets-affiliated St. John’s IceCaps, playing in 40 contests and recording two assists. He returned to the now Canadiens-affiliated IceCaps for a two-game stint during the 2016-17 campaign and was held scoreless.
A fine combination of speed, skill and experience, MacLean is excited to return to Brampton for another chance to lift the Kelly Cup.
“I’m super excited,” MacLean said about his return to Brampton.
“When I spoke with Coach Chaulk, he was excited to bring me back. We started to build something with the Beast last season. We have some unfinished business. We have a good core coming back and we’re looking to add some pieces to the puzzle and go further than we did last year.”
Beast Head Coach Colin Chaulk believes MacLean to be a versatile and resourceful player who is a weapon every time he steps on the ice and is pleased to bring him back for the Beast’s fifth anniversary season.
“He’s one of those guys who can play in all situations,” Chaulk said.
“He can be a net-front guy on the power play, he can be a halfwall guy or he can kill penalties. He can play centre or the wing and he’s a proven winner. He wants to be in Brampton and we’re excited to have him back.”