It was a sight to behold as Niverville Nighthawks star forward Nathan Brown took part last week in the 2024 Winnipeg Jets development camp from July 3–7.
Back in May, Brown received a call from Jimmy Roy, the Winnipeg Jets’ director of player development, who told him that if he didn’t get drafted at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, he would receive an invite to the Jets’ player development camp.
“It was a dream come true to be able to go to the Jets camp,” says Brown. “I grew up going to the Jets development camp and watching these players and getting autographs from them. And now this year, I got to be one of those guys that the little kids are watching and wanting autographs from. So it was super cool that it kind of came around full circle.”
Brown says he had a fantastic time at the camp, rubbing shoulders and making friends with the Jets’ top prospects, and learning what it takes to move up to the pro level.
“The camp was great and was such a good learning experience and helped me see where I stand compared to these draft picks and older players,” he says. “I learnt lots and I got to see how hard these older guys push the pace in practice and how hard they work in the gym, but also the time they take to recover post skates and workouts.”
Brown notes that he didn’t feel out of place and was able to compete, which will no doubt help his confidence going forward.
“I felt smaller out there, but still competed and battled for every puck. So it’s definitely going to help me become more confident in my abilities and really push myself the rest of the offseason and then come into this season hungrier than ever.”
In Brown’s rookie season of junior hockey with the Nighthawks last year, he scored 32 points in 49 games.
“I loved my first season with the Nighthawks,” says Brown. “Everyone within the organization is great, and they are all pushing for everyone to become the best version of themselves. Also, being in a great billet home this year helped me stay focused on hockey and not being homesick. I think this year, I really adapted to playing different roles, whether it was on the power play, penalty kill, producing on the first line, or getting in and bringing energy on the third line. I felt I was always making an impact on the ice, and that’s one thing I’m trying to carry into this season. Also, I think my board work and hard skill really improved this year being up against older, stronger players that will help grow my game in the aspect.”
Brown is also a recruit of the St. Cloud State Huskies team, a Division I NCAA school out of St. Cloud, Minnesota. He will start attending college with St. Cloud for the 2025-26 season.
Brown will be headed down to the USHL’s Fargo Force in the fall to try and make that team. If it doesn’t end up working out in Fargo, Brown will be welcomed back with open arms for the Nighthawks in their 2024–25 season.
