T.J. Brodie is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was born on June 7, 1990, in Chatham, Ontario, Canada. Brodie started his hockey career playing for the Dresden Jr. Kings in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA). He then moved on to play for the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2007.
Brodie was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the fourth round, 114th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Flames in the 2010-2011 season, playing in three games. He then spent the majority of the next season playing for the Flames' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Abbotsford Heat.
Brodie became a regular in the Flames' lineup in the 2012-2013 season, playing in all 47 games of the shortened season due to the NHL lockout. He quickly established himself as a reliable defenseman, known for his skating ability and offensive skills. He scored his first NHL goal on February 7, 2013, against the Detroit Red Wings.
Over the next several seasons, Brodie continued to improve his game and became a key player for the Flames. He was known for his ability to move the puck up the ice and contribute offensively, while also being responsible in his own end. He was often paired with Flames captain Mark Giordano, forming one of the top defensive pairs in the NHL.
Brodie's best season came in 2014-2015, when he set career highs in goals (11), assists (30), and points (41). He was also a key player in the Flames' playoff run that season, helping the team reach the second round before they were eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks.
Brodie played for the Flames for 10 seasons before signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent in the 2020 offseason. He played in 45 games for the Maple Leafs in the 2020-2021 season, recording 10 points. However, he struggled at times and was a healthy scratch for several games down the stretch.
Brodie's NHL career came to an end in the 2021-2022 season, when he announced his retirement from professional hockey at the age of 31. He played in a total of 841 NHL games, scoring 54 goals and 247 assists for 301 points. He was known as a reliable and consistent defenseman throughout his career, and was respected by teammates and opponents alike.
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