Playing 11-years of professional hockey between the American Hockey League (AHL) and National Hockey League (NHL), with seven different teams is not an easy task. However, current Bakersfield Condors Captain and PHPA Player Representative, Brad Malone, makes it look easy.  Malone strives to bring a positive attitude to the rink each and every day while leading by example, which has proven to be a key component to his success and helped earn him some notoriety earlier this season.

Malone was born in Chatham, New Brunswick, Canada and was introduced to the game by his Dad and older cousin Ryan Malone, who was a couple years older and served as a role model to Brad growing up. “My first memories of playing hockey were Timbits at age four or five,” recalled Malone. “I wasn’t always the best player growing up, but I was definitely one of the bigger kids my age, all the way through minor hockey.”

Malone’s Father, Jim Malone, had played in the Ontario Hockey League for the Toronto Marlboros and was drafted in the first-round, 14^th overall, by the New York Rangers in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. Unfortunately, various injuries derailed his early professional career and Jim was forced to retire, which ultimately helped shape his son’s future decisions.

“My Dad retired at 23 with just a high school education, so both my parents were big believers in having a back-up plan. If I could get my education while playing a high level of hockey, that was something they preached.”

Malone was further intrigued to pursue the college hockey route as his cousin, Ryan Malone, starred at St. Cloud State, where Brad was able to watch some of Ryan’s games. “When I went to watch Ryan there and the type of environment he played in, that’s when I knew it was something I wanted to do.”

As Ryan embarked on his professional hockey career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he continued to serve as an inspiration to Brad both on and off the ice. “The way Ryan conducted himself as a pro, that’s somebody that I looked up to not only as a player but as a person, and is how I have tried to conduct myself.”

Malone forged on with his own hockey dream, playing a season of junior hockey with Sioux Falls in the United States Hockey League (USHL) before heading to the University of North Dakota where he would play college hockey. “When it came to picking North Dakota, everyone is usually drawn to its rink and facility, but for me it was the people.  It was a small-town feel being on campus and around the guys and somewhere I thought I would really fit in and enjoy myself both on and off the ice.”

Prior to heading to North Dakota, Malone was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the fourth round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Malone would however play all four years at North Dakota and get the full college experience instead of leaving early to turn pro. “Colorado was very supportive.  There was an opportunity for me to leave after my third year at North Dakota and sign, but we had a tight knit class, and there were six of us who all started as freshmen together and made a pact to finish our four years together and try to win a National Championship.”

After Malone’s final season with North Dakota in 2011, he was brought up to play with the Lake Erie Monsters, Colorado’s AHL affiliate at the time, to get his first taste of professional hockey.   He began the following season back with the Monsters, until December 9, 2011, when he was recalled by the Avalanche to make his NHL debut against the Edmonton Oilers. Malone says his memories about that game were more about the warmup than the actual game itself.

“I remember being really nervous.  I had a bunch of high school buddies living in Edmonton at the time. I stepped on a puck in warmups, blew a tire, and they were all on the glass laughing at me. That was kind of my welcome to the NHL moment.”

Despite his first game mishap, Malone has had an inspiring 11-year professional career that he has cherished since the beginning. “It’s been a really fun journey.  My whole life this is what I’ve wanted to do, and not many people are fortunate to say that they can live their dream job on a day-to-day basis.”

Before the AHL cancelled the remainder of its 2019-20 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Malone was in the midst of his best professional season, posting 31 points in 49 games with the Bakersfield Condors in the AHL. He attributes this success to becoming a Father, which has given him a new perspective on the game.

“It’s going to sound crazy, but I think it has something to do with becoming a father. I think it changed my perspective on a lot of things and gave me a clear understanding why you play the game and who you’re playing for.  Having a family to provide for and support is something I take pride in and I’m fortunate enough to play the game as a means to do that.  I also think trying to have a positive mindset and continuously working on my game has led to getting better results.”

Malone continued this success into the 2020-21 season where his leadership abilities were also recognized, as he was named the Condors captain as well as the team’s Player Representative for the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA).

“It was a huge honour.  I was with the organization for three years prior, playing under other captains that were here.  I learned a lot from both those guys. I think it was a responsibility that at the age I am at and place I am at in my career, I was able to welcome the opportunity and the challenge.”

Malone tries to be himself and wants everyone in the room to be comfortable feeling the same way in a welcome environment. “There’s no real pecking order.  I don’t try and put myself above anyone else because I’ve played professionally for 11 years, or talk down to any players because they are younger.”

Given all the uncertainty over the past two AHL seasons while being in a leadership position, Malone’s teammates looked to him for guidance. Being Bakersfield’s PHPA Player Representative during this time, Malone understood the importance of being open with communication and understanding different player perspectives. There were veteran guys like himself, who have a family to provide for.  Then there are also younger players who are anxiously using their time in the AHL to help advance to the NHL. “There was a lot more communication than normal, but the PHPA did a great job keeping us in the loop, and it was a great opportunity to form some relationships with the PHPA staff and other Player Reps who were part of the many Zoom calls.”

This season, Malone has spent time with both Bakersfield and the Edmonton Oilers, who promoted former Condors coach Jay Woodcroft to Head Coach of the Oilers mid-season, which has helped make the transition for a player like Malone seamless. “I think with the coaching change and Woody being up in Edmonton now, it makes the transition for anybody in the organization really easy, just because of the way team meetings and practices are run.  You’re doing the same stuff just with a different room of teammates.”

Malone recorded a goal and an assist in a 4-3 overtime victory against the Washington Capitals in his fourth game with the Oilers this season.  The significance of this goal was that it was his first in the NHL since December 5^th, 2015, a span of 2,301 days. A moment Malone wasn’t sure would come again. “I mean it felt good.  When I’m playing in the NHL it’s a fourth line checking role, and you’re just trying to play safe and play really hard. I didn’t realize until after I scored how long it had been since my last NHL goal. It was a very cool moment just to be a part of that game and contribute towards the win.”

Both the Condors and Oilers are looking to have playoff success this season. Malone’s main focus is doing whatever it takes to contribute wherever he may be. “Here in Bakersfield just trying to get us into the playoffs and a home ice position, keep everyone playing well and try to peak at the right time when playoffs roll around. Then from there obviously for both teams just having a good run and trying to accomplish the main goal in both leagues, and let the cards fall where they may.”

Along with his leadership and veteran presence off the ice, Malone is arguably playing the best hockey of his professional career, proving to be a value asset for both the Condors and Oilers in their quests for a Championship this spring.