Brooklyn Boy Brannigan Poised For Hometown Debut

It may sound a bit cliché, but Brooklyn’s newest pro hockey team, the Aces, may have one up their sleeves this upcoming season.

His name is James Brannigan.

Forged on the Abe Stark hockey rink in Coney Island and solidified in the youth hockey leagues of Long Island, Brannigan’s game is somewhat of legend in Brooklyn.

Turning down an opportunity to play in the CHL this season, Brannigan signed with the team a few weeks ago and is thrilled to come home where his career- and life, started.

“It feels really good to be able to play in front of the city I grew up in,” Brannigan said. “It’s very exciting.”

At 24 years old, Brannigan already has a year of pro hockey under his belt, splitting last season with the Augusta Lynx and Columbia Inferno in the ECHL. Before that, Brannigan spent three seasons as a full-scholarship athlete at Colorado College. However, Brannigan’s star power was dimmed at Colorado, playing behind future AHL stars Marty Sertich and Brett Sterling and former Rangers draft pick Joey Crabb. Limited to fourth line duty while in college, Brannigan knows he has an opportunity to prove himself in Brooklyn this season.

“I’m used to high pressure situations,” Brannigan, who scored 23 goals in the USHL before going to Colorado in 2004, said. “In college, my team made the frozen four and we played on ESPN. When I was in the USHL, I was like a local celebrity. I was in the newspaper and on TV all the time, so I’m ready for the atmosphere here. In college, I was hit with a bunch of injuries and I had to play behind some great players. It was tough for me, but it was the way things work out. Here, I feel like I can contribute more than I did before. I want to show how successful I can be here this season.”

Comparing his game to that of Calgary Flames star Jarome Iginla, Brannigan sees himself fitting in perfectly with Aces coach Chris Firriolo’s high puck pursuit game as well.

“I’m a speedy winger and a shooter,” Brannigan, whose father owns B & A Pork store on 13th avenue in Dyker Heights, said. “I try and model my game after Alexander Ovechkin, he’s sick. I love watching him and trying to do what he does. I’m always the first forechecker in as well, the aggressor, so I think I’m going to be very comfortable here.”

Add in the fact that Brannigan is a short 10-minute drive from Aviator Arena and it’s possible that his decision to play in Brooklyn could be a match made in heaven for both him and the organization.

“I’m home,” Brannigan, who grew up a Rangers fan and idolized Brian Leetch as a youngster, said. “I know I’m going to get a great opportunity to show what I’m made of. It’s surreal. It hasn’t really hit me yet.”

Photos by Casey B. Gibson.

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