Why Brendan Brisson chose the Maple Leafs to re-start his NHL career

Son of NHL agent Pat Brisson feels comfortable in Toronto, but now he must earn his spot on the roster

Published Sep 20, 2026  •  Last updated 9 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

Brendan Brisson #91 of the New York Rangers skates against the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden on Sept. 23, 2025 in New York City. Photo by Bruce Bennett /Getty Images

There was a moment after Saturday’s pre-game skate when Brendan Brisson knew he’d made the right decision to join the Maple Leafs. 

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As he worked alone on a series of one-timer releases, associate coach Daniel Alfredsson, who’d already come off the ice, saw something askew with Brisson’s shot. He came back out and the two worked on firing pucks bar down for several minutes. 

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“He grabbed me quickly, I didn’t even know he was watching,” Brisson said. “He gave me a few bullet-point tips to think about when I’m in that (slot) area, things I’d never really thought about, like having a little bit more control than power.  

“That helps a lot, to try and emulate that in a game.” 

What is Brisson’s NHL background?

The NHL has only seen 27 games of Brisson the previous three seasons, mostly with his draft team, the Vegas Golden Knights, and three starts last year as a New York Ranger. But Leaf general manager John Chayka and his staff also noted 37 points in 66 games for AHL Hartford and 63 penalty minutes by the six-foot centre. 

The free agent signed a one-year deal for $850,000. Brendan had no trouble finding a reputable agent as Pat Brisson did the paperwork, his father representing many Hall of Famers such as Martin Brodeur, Chris Chelios and Luc Robitaille and contemporary stars Sideny Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon. 

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“The Leafs reached out to me a few months ago,” Brendan said. “There was a few (offers) out there, but talking to management, after that first phone call, I was pretty sure this was the spot for me.” 

Brisson, however, is in the same boat as other fringe Leafs, with little chance to impress the brass in scant exhibition games and so many other prominent forwards added ahead of him. He assisted on Henrik Rybinski’s goal later Saturday in Montreal, had a couple of shot attempts and had a minor penalties’ exchange with Arber Xhekaj. His grandparents from the Montreal area were at the Bell Centre.  

Brisson says he’s settled quickly into life as a Leaf, friends with his father’s principal clients on the club, John Tavares and Gavin McKenna. The Los Angeles-born Brendan is more familiar on ice with his University of Michigan captain Nick Blankenburg, who is on a PTO and Matthew Knies, whom he played a bit with the U.S, national team. 

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