Senior Parker Brown has emerged as an important part of Air Force hockey’s top line this season. An assistant captain, Brown has 10 points through 14 games, which puts him on pace to exceed his career high of 19 in 2021-22.

Brown also has one of the more unique paths to reach the Academy of any player I’ve interviewed in the past decade.

>> READ about Class of 2024: Adams |Balboa| Gavin | Horn | Marti | Robinson | Rowe | 

Here is AFAFlightPath.com’s one-on-one interview with Brown:

You had to overcome more than a few challenges to reach Division I college hockey, and you probably traveled about as many miles to do as anyone I’ve ever spoken with. Can you tell us about that journey?

It was super unconventional, growing up in Charleston, S.C. Not a whole lot of hockey. There were only two rinks in the state at the time, one had two sheets and the other had one. Luckily, we lived only 8-10 minutes away from one of them. One normal Southern day, we had our 25-30 minutes of afternoon rain. My mother, who was born and raised in Pittsburgh, had the idea to take us to an ice rink at ages 5 and 3. My brother saw guys playing hockey and said “I want to do that.” Anything my brother did, I got thrown into. I’m sure my parents thought it would be like soccer or football, we’d try it and then move on. But it just stuck.

I played all the way to U18 in South Carolina. Then I played out of Exeter, N.H., for a year and then I was blessed to play another year for the Esmark Stars 18U AAA team in Pittsburgh. I loved everything about that. From there, I went to Fairbanks, Alaska, and committed here during my first of two years.

Fairbanks to Charleston, S.C. — how long of a trip was that?

I used to know the mileage. It was a lot. Those trips coming home at Christmas from Fairbanks I’d hop on two flights — four hours to Seattle, then 8.5 more to Charleston.

Who were some of your influences?

In hockey, it was always my dad. He never grew up playing but has always been my biggest supporter along with my mom. My brother and I would shoot pucks in the backyard and he’d come and try to do it with us. He was stellar in sports, football, basketball and baseball, but he struggled to get the hang of it. Watching him try it and his support became our biggest inspiration. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my brother Brandon, too. He moved to Raleigh, N.C., for juniors for what used to be the Carolina Eagles. He played Division III at Post University, got a masters and is back coaching there. His love of the game is insurmountable.

Did you have any favorite players or teams growing up?

Pittsburgh has always been my No. 1 Carolina is No. 2. The amount of love my mom has for Pittsburgh sports teams, Penguins, Steelers and Pirates, was hard for me to deny.

Sidney Crosby is an obvious answer for the player. I love Evgeni Malkin’s bit of attitude he plays with.

Is there a story behind wearing the No. 17?

Do you remember the Atlanta Thrashers? When I was a kid, we’d have tournaments in Atlanta, and my parents would take us to Thrashers games. Ilya Kovalchuk wore 17 and I haven’t changed since, except for one year in juniors.

What was the draw of the Academy and do you have favorite parts of it?

I wouldn’t say there was a huge draw. … My mom’s father flew in the Korean War. So there was a slight draw to the Air Force. I’ve had relatives in the Army, uncles and such, but nothing as close to home.

One of my favorite parts is I’ve always been super OCD in pure organization. The structure and lifestyle of cleanliness I really appreciate. In juniors, guys wouldn’t make their bed. I’d visit them and tell them, “You’ve got to clean up and make your bed.” The discipline factor of things being done and done correctly, I appreciate that.

Do you have a favorite trip or memory during your time playing for the Falcons?

We’ve had some unbelievable ones. Going to Alaska with the guys this year stands out. We won in overtime, then the Northern Lights came out and we got to see that. The Arizona State trip last year was fun. I don’t know if one sticks out. Going to West Point is always such a good, fun trip for us. There is so much emotion. It’s a really special trip and everyone understands that. It has a little deeper meaning for us.

Are you picky about your gear?

I used to be very particular about it. Over the years, it’s (become) routine to put everything on in the same order. But if I mess up, it’s no big deal. Even sophomore year, it would have given me a mental break. I was superstitious about those things. I’ve realized it doesn’t matter. Sticks, I just tape as fast as I can. Skates tie them as tight as I can. By senior year, guys are more focused on playing the actual what they’re playing in.

When you have free time, do you have any hobbies you enjoy?

All the guys really discovered pickleball this summer and ran with that. Me and Luke Rowe like to play racquetball. I always beat him, so if he tells you anything different, he’s lying. I’ve had a girlfriend at the Academy for three years. We love the outdoors, hiking and camping. We both have great sponsor families. The Johnsons and the Schafers. During the season it’s especially nice to get that break on Sunday. We’ll go to church, have a nice brunch afterward and just relax.

Who is your funniest Air Force teammate?

Maiszon Balboa is our best DJ on the team and pretty witty. Andrew DeCarlo is naturally funny without trying to be. I’m incredibly close with my entire class and they’re all funny in their own way. Luke Robinson and Sam Brennan are so, so smart. It’s funny to watch them become over-analytical. It brings such laughter to the rest of us.

My linemates, Will Gavin and Clay Cosentino, recently got matching haircuts that are awful. They want me to match them and I’m not having it.

©First Line Editorial 2023