Jonny Brodzinski's NHL Journey: A Story Of Family And Love Of Hockey

Jonny Brodzinski was made to play hockey. 

Between his father Michael Brodzinski and three brothers Michael, Easton and Bryce who all played hockey, it is safe to say that Jonny was always destined for a career in the NHL. 

In fact, Jonny not only played but worked at a hockey store owned by his father. 

In Minnesota where Jonny grew up, Michael opened a hockey store called Hockey Zone. When he wasn’t on the ice, Jonny was working at his dad’s store, which only increased his love for the sport. 

“It was like hockey 24/7,” Jonny said of his childhood. “He (Michael) opened up a hockey store. At the time it was called Hockey Zone, then he merged with Hockey Central and then they got bought out by Pure Hockey. I grew up working at his store for 6-7 years. Sharpened skates, did everything. It was like hockey 24/7 with our whole family. Hockey all the time, everyday, all day.”

Hockey helped Jonny’s relationship with his three brothers grow in a really special way. 

The four Brodzinski boys were all born between 1993-2000, which allowed them to have some intense hockey battles against one another with the competitiveness off the charts. 

“It was a ton of fun growing up playing with three brothers that had similar skill sets too,” Jonny said. “Going out on the ponds growing up was just so much fun… It was always me and Bryce against Michael and Easton. We had an unfinished basement growing up in Blaine, so it was always full standing up mini hockey all day. We were all extremely close and still are to this day.” 

Jonny’s family ties to hockey led him to play at Blaine High then in the USHL and he ultimately got a full ride to play at St. Cloud State University where he made a name for himself.

In 2013, the Los Angeles Kings selected Brodzinski in the third round, just seven picks after the San Jose Sharks drafted Michael, creating an unforgettable moment for the Brodzinski family. 

“Same year, same round. We were only a couple picks apart. I think it might be the first set of brothers that are not twins to be drafted in the same round that aren’t the same birth year,” Jonny said. “It was crazy. Both the California teams too. That was kind of crazy.”

Through his time with the Kings organization, Jonny was sent up and down from the American Hockey League. 

Despite not finding a consistent NHL role in Los Angeles, he was able to learn what it took to win being around multiple Stanley Cup champions the likes of Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Jonathan Quick and Dustin Brown. 

“It’s probably the hardest thing to do in sports,” Jonny said about winning a Stanley Cup. “It’s about the guys around you. You can be the best player in the NHL and still miss the playoffs. It takes a whole locker room and it’s more of a mindset than anything. I think that’s more than I learned than anything. If you have it you have it, and if you don’t you don’t.”

In 2020, Jonny signed with the New York Rangers as he quickly found a home with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL.

By the time he arrived in Hartford, Jonny had been around the AHL system for a long time and was a proven leader. 

First, he became an assistant captain of the Wolf Pack before earning the captaincy, which the veteran forward admits was one of the greatest honors of his life. 

“It was always something I wanted to be,” Jonny said of being named captain of the Wolf Pack. “Being an older player in the league, I felt like I had a pretty good voice in the locker room. Just helping these younger guys out, it was probably some of the most fun I’ve had in my career.

“I think I’m more of a lead by example kind of guy. I can get vocal when we need it, but I’m more of a lead by example, everybody follows.”

Since the 2023-24 campaign, the 31-year-old has found a consistent spot with the Rangers. His scrappy play and infectious personality is contagious. 

You could tell from being around the locker room that Jonny’s presence does not go unnoticed. He seems to be beloved by his teammates while Rangers coach Peter Laviolette has a lot of trust in him. 

It all started in Minnesota, and through hard work, determination and a love for hockey, Jonny created a career that most people could only dream of.