Now Back at Home, Journeyman T.J. Brennan Hopes to Stick With Flyers

For T.J. Brennan, watching the Flyers on television and attending games as a kid at the Spectrum was a highlight of his childhood.
 
A two-year contract with the Flyers, signed on Monday night as the organization’s newest defenseman, well, that is a dream come true.
 
“I fell in love with the sport,” Brennan said of his upbringing in Moorestown, N.J. “The Flyers being my closest team, I was fortunate to go to games.
 
“Growing up, watching Ron Hextall and all the great players in the league. It’s really exciting. The little kid inside me is freaking out.”
 
Brennan hopes to lay some permanent roots in his hometown after several years of wandering around the minors for other NHL clubs. His contract is two-way and he’ll start the season with the Phantoms.
 
“It’s a great moment and a really good day in my life to be part of this organization,” the 27-year-old said. “One thing I do on a personal basis is I try every day to live my life to the fullest. I try to exemplify that in the way I carry myself in my hockey career.
 
“I try to appreciate everything I can. I try not to take things for granted. I think I bring a lot of character and a hockey mind to the table.”
 
Brennan was a point-a-game player the past two seasons (68 points in 69 games) with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL and understands he needs to work on his defensive game with the Phantoms, who are already stacked on the blue line this coming season.
 
“One thing, as a player, I am very open to learning and I’m teachable,” Brennan said. “Watching as a fan, what the Flyers have been doing over the last few years, I’m very excited in the direction they are going ... I’m coming in with an open mind and a really great work ethic.”
 
Brennan’s NHL salary as a call-up is $625,000 a year.
 
A two-time Eddie Shore Award recipient, Brennan admitted he knows more about the Phantoms than Dave Hakstol’s Flyers given the majority of his career — 443 AHL games — has been spent in the minors. He has just 53 NHL appearances.
 
“From personnel, I don’t know all that much,” Brennan said of the current Flyers. “I haven’t been technically in the NHL. They had a very good team over the past few years and trying to get over that hump …
 
“The coaching staff wants good people, good character, good human beings and I believe in myself. That is what they want to exemplify being a Philadelphia Flyer.”