Photo Credit: Katelynn Reiss
Former Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher wasted no time moving a solid Justin Braun to the New York Rangers for a third round pick at the trade deadline last year, but he also wasted no time with re-signing him that offseason.
“He plays really hard. He’s a guy who blocks shots and takes hits. I just thought it would be prudent to at least resolve this over the next 24 hours and just hold him out for today,” Fletcher said at the trade deadline last season.
Braun has been everything and then some for the Flyers, especially at a rate of $1 million per year. He has stepped up in time of need all season, more importantly, to play on the top pairing with Ivan Provorov due to the injury to Ryan Ellis, or bad play of Tony DeAngelo. Did he play great? No, but he played solid hockey for the conditions that were presented to him.
It was just a special night to have his dad on the bench in his final NHL game. Braun has seen everything with no complaints. He just goes about his business, and does his job, “He’s been there for me for my whole career, to have him behind the bench for my last game. Torts told him before the period, he didn’t know, it was awesome. The Flyers have been great to me,” Braun rid of his dad being behind the bench following the game.
He is an abled bodied 36-year-old Right-Handed Defenseman, that should be playing as a third pairing defenseman. Braun finishes his stories career as a plus 23 defenseman, and could talk for days:
“Emotional, yea, it really didn’t hit me until Provy scored that this is it. I’d like to thank my wife, parents, and kids for everything throughout my career when I was young. My wife being there taking care of the kids when I was on the road. All the guys I played with they’re awesome. Tough day.” – Justin Braun
Fortunately, Braun took a hometown discount this past season to stay with the team he enjoyed playing for a few seasons ago. With my time being around the Flyers locker room last year he was happy, smiling, even joking with various players. Braun wasn’t the flashiest Defenseman, but he was a serviceable one.
“He’s a popular guy on this team. He’s had a great career, and it’s been a pleasure to play with him these past few years,” said James van Riemsdyk following the game.
Morgan Frost offered similar thoughts about Braun, as well, “We wanted that one for Brauner. He’s pretty funny with me, he always puts a smile on my face. Very happy for him.”
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Now it’s time for Braun to ride off into the sunset. Class act and very much loved inside the locker room, “Everyone loves Brauner, dry sense of humor makes everyone laugh. For me personally he’s one of my best buddies on the team. We play kurts together when every single road trip, and almost every single flight. We are definitely going to miss him,” said Travis Konecny
