Former Providence men’s hockey player Drew Brown passed away at home on Saturday morning at the age of 25 after a long battle with cancer.
“Our program mourns the passing of Drew Brown early this morning,” Friars coach Nate Leaman said in a statement. “Drew touched everyone with whom he came into contact with his energy, his smile and his big heart. Drew was a thoughtful, soft-spoken teammate who would do anything for his team. Drew showed amazing courage in his battle with cancer. Our Friar family will miss him dearly.
“With the support of one another, we will find strength to honor Drew.”
A native of Grass Lake, Mich., Brown appeared in 75 games for the Friars from 2011 to 2014, totaling 10 goals and 22 assists. After sustaining an injury in the 2014 Hockey East semifinal, an MRI revealed a tumor that was diagnosed as Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer which caused him to miss the entire 2014-15 season.
Brown continued his long, courageous battle with the disease and became an inspiration for the Friars during their 2015 national championship run.
In the 2015-16 season, Brown joined the men’s hockey’s staff as an undergraduate student assistant coach. Prior to the team’s Senior Night on Feb. 25, 2016, Brown suited up and joined his teammates for pregame warm-ups on the ice in a special moment at Schneider Arena.
Proceeds from Saturday night’s game against Massachusetts at Schneider Arena will go directly to the Brown family. Drew Brown’s GoFundMe page has already raised over $50,000 and will continue to be open for donations for people not attending tonight’s game that still wish to donate.
“I would like to thank all those people who have supported Drew and his family,” Leaman added. “I would also like to thank the Providence College students, administration and community for their support and prayers. Also, thank you to Hockey Coaches Care, John Buccigross and the college hockey community for their support and contributions. This long battle has taken a large toll on Drew’s family and without the support received, Drew would not have had the resources to take on this battle. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Brown family and his fiancée Michelle during this difficult time.”
Brown is survived by his mother Sandy, father Duke, younger sister Nicole, and his fiancée Michelle Danko.
