Don Brashear is currently a forward with the Washington Capitals hockey team. Born in Bedford, Indiana on January 7, 1972, the 6’3” 240 lbs. left winger began his NHL career in 1992 when the Montreal Canadiens signed him as a free agent. He has played for the Vancouver Canucks and the Philadelphia Flyers, in addition to Montreal and Washington. He has also trained with boxing legend Joe Frazier, among others.
In 1996, Brashear was traded to the Vancouver Canucks hockey franchise shortly after a heated debate with Montreal's head coach during a practice. The entire incident was caught on tape.
In 2000, during a game against the Boston Bruins, Brashear was struck in the head by Bruins player Marty McSorley. During the incident Brashear’s helmet flew off causing him to bounce his head on the ice, for which he suffered a Grade 3 concussion and memory lapses. He did fully recover after several weeks, and Marty McSorley was found guilty of assault with a weapon and given 18 months probation. During this time, he was forbidden from playing against Brashear. Brashear says he has no memory of the incident.
Don Brashear was signed a one-year contract in 2006 with the Washington Capitals. In February of 2007, Brashear signed a one-year contract extension worth 1.1 million dollars, and he served as an alternate captain that season. In January of 2008, he signed another one-year contract extension for 1.2 million dollars. Brashear is an accomplished concert pianist and the nephew of Carl Brashear, who inspired the blockbuster movie “Men of Honor,” starring Cuba Gooding, Jr.
