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It felt almost inevitable heading into this season that Connor Brown would receive a shot with the big club under Mike Babcock.

That was until a broken ankle bone sustained in typical Brown fashion (blocking a shot) resulted in almost three months on the sidelines. The play was almost an overcompensation from Brown, who was looking to do everything he could for the team with the offensive side of his game not clicking at that juncture. With just four assists in eight games and snake-bitten in front of net, it would have been easy for frustration to manifest itself as he watched the Marlies destroy all before them during his absence.

That’s just not Connor Brown, however, a former heavily-undersized sixth round pick who epitomizes hard work, determination and a never-say-die attitude when it comes to hockey.

He fought and clambered his way back to fitness, chomping at the bit by early January — so much so that management and coaches had to restrain the young forward, preaching patience until he was 100% and ready to go at full blast. It proved the right decision as, almost inevitably, Brown scored two in his reappearance on January 24.

He’s produced at point-per-game pace in 20 outings since his return, often Toronto’s best player despite the team’s well-documented struggles of late.

Enforced time off the ice has enabled Brown to work hard in the gym, strengthening his upper body while his ankle healed, and that should stand him in good stead in the NHL. Turning a negative into a positive, it was a possible blessing in disguise if he’s now more ready to take this opportunity with both hands for however long it lasts.

It’s almost fitting that Brown is an emergency recall on St. Patrick’s Day as he’s deserved some better luck in 2015-16 after an amazing rookie season in which he led all AHL first-years in scoring. He received some over the weekend, when — blocking yet another shot — he broke his skate but his foot came out unscathed.

Often dubbed “Connor who?” when playing junior hockey alongside Connor McDavid, Brown has defied all expectations up until this point, so don’t be surprised to see him defy a few more doubters in the show.

Brown will be the ninth Marlies player to make his Toronto Maple Leafs debut when he takes to the ice tonight in the injured Leo Komarov’s place. It isn’t hard to envision a reception similar to Zach Hyman and Nikita Soshnikov’s — both were given the thumbs-up from Mike Babcock as NHL-ready — given Brown’s talent, work rate and competitiveness.