Bray Not Just An Enforcer

[FlagsFan]

“I know what I have to show. I know my capabilities and my abilities,” Bray said. “I took a few years off hockey, and plus I was playing in that goon league up in Quebec, so people assume that maybe I lost some skill and I can just fight.

“But I know what I can do, and game by game, I'm just going to show what I can do.”

The 26-year-old native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, stands at a solid 6-foot-3, 215 pounds. He fought in each of the Icehawks first four games, and took on some of the league's other heavyweights, like Fort Wayne's Brad MacMillan, Muskegon's Robin Big Snake and Flint's Derek Parker.

“I've always played like that, I've always fought,” Bray said. “I've always played tough. It's just part of the way I play.”

Full Article

[the Jester32]

good read, thanks for the post. I like Mike Bray, he had a really good showing against Big Snake here in Muskegon. for some reason I always seem to like the fighters in Pt Huron.

[MrFrost]

Brays fighting abilities are great but he was also an NHL draft pick due to his skill. The guy doesnt suck at playing. I actually wish he would get more shifts/ice time.

[FlagsFan]

He got a bunch of icetime against Dayton and looked great, it says he got no points but he did get an assist unless they changed it, he had 3 or 4 decent scoring chances and even got a few seconds of PP time.

[MrFrost]

He didnt get much when they came to Muskegon but when he did he was really good.

[clarencegojacks]

Bray is for sure a power man. That is evident in his play. A few shifts or o hundred his colors will come out. I think the fact that him being off is one more thing that will tell the tale. He will get it back and be even more electrifying.

[lp234]

The kid has made big mistakes in the past and now he has paid his dues. Im happy to see that he is getting a second chance. I dont need to repeat myself a hundred thousand times....the kid can play....beleive it or not, hes actually superior as a player than as a fighter......hes going to be in the AHL by the end of this season....count my word on it

[the mangler]

Probably why he was inactive for so long......

HOCKEY: RECORD MAY END BRAY'S CAREER
Edmonton Sun - July 9, 2005

Stabbing a man during a fit of road rage in Halifax could cost minor leaguer John Bray his professional hockey career.

Bray, a 2001 draft pick of the New York Islanders, was sentenced to six months of house arrest for the Oct. 1, 2003, incident.

Bray, 22, was initially charged with aggravated assault, but in January pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of assault with a weapon. He also pleaded guilty to committing mischief by damaging the victim's Mercedes by stabbing it with a knife.

The victim sustained painful wounds to his mouth, tongue, face, hand and leg, and a deep gash to his stomach.

Bray's lawyer, Lonny Queripel, said his client "deeply regrets his actions," adding alcohol was involved.

Queripel said Bray hopes to continue his hockey career, but noted the criminal conviction will prevent him from playing in the United States.

Queripel said Bray began using steroids in 2003 in hopes of improving his pro hockey prospects. But he said there's nothing to suggest that steroids contributed to his client's poor judgment.

(islesinfo.com note: I'm a little unsure of the validity of this story because they named the accused "John Bray" and not Mike Bray. But the rest of the information seems to be correct as far as the Islanders drafting him in 2001. So it may have just been human error. Bray apparently has not played hockey since 2003, so it looks like his career may have already been over.)


Bray is not known for finesse, but rather for his fists and physical play. But he can chip in offensively when asked. Scouted by Isles Quebec scout Mario Saraceno who believes Bray's upside is a 3rd to 4th line player in the NHL. CSB had him ranked 155th overal among North Americans. Wears number 27 for the QMJHL's Quebec Remparts.

http://www.islesinfo.com/Bray.html