Brandon Dubinsky

American former professional ice hockey player for the New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets

Brandon Grae Dubinsky (born April 29, 1986) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He previously played for the New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). Dubinsky was drafted 60th overall in the 2004 NHL entry draft by the Rangers.

Quick Facts

Born: 29 April 1986
Birthplace: Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
Position: Centre; Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Played for: New York Rangers; Columbus Blue Jackets
Draft: 60th overall
Drafted by: New York Rangers

Lore & Background

Dubinsky was born to a Russian American family, in Anchorage, Alaska. He played minor ice hockey in Anchorage and Seattle through Sno-King Amateur Hockey Association, and graduated from Service High School in 2004. As a youth, he played in the 1999 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Alaska All-Stars. He spent his junior career with Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL) for four years, and was a two-time Western Conference second team All-Star before being drafted in the second round of the 2004 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers. He played for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) for most of the 2006–07 season. He first played for the New York Rangers on March 8, 2007, against the New York Islanders. Dubinsky scored his first NHL goal against Marc-André Fleury on November 8, 2007, in a 4–2 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was the 3rd star of the game. He spent much of the season centering the Rangers' first forward line with Jaromír Jágr and Sean Avery. He was one of sixteen rookies selected to participate in the 2008 YoungStars competition at the 56th NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta. He scored two goals and one assist and was named YoungStars Most Valuable Player. Dubinsky scored his first career playoff goal in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the New Jersey Devils on April 13, 2008. His successful rookie season was marked on April 4, 2008, when Dubinsky was awarded the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award for the 2007–08 season and 'Rookie of the Year' for the Rangers as voted by his teammates. On May 12, 2008, Dubinsky scored a hat trick in his first World Championships, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, against Norway. Team USA went on to win the game 9–1. On November 24, 2008, Dubinsky scored a Gordie Howe hat trick against the Phoenix Coyotes. He squared off against the Coyotes' tough guy Daniel Carcillo protecting the Rangers' netminder Henrik Lundqvist at 2:58 into the first, taking a five-minute major penalty for fighting. He then scored a wraparound goal 1 minute 15 seconds into the second period (which ended up being the game winner). Dubinsky then finished the 'Gordie' with an assist to Dan Girardi, who scored a power play goal from the blue line at 7:37 into the third period. The Rangers won the game 4–1 and Dubinsky along with Lundqvist and Zherdev were named the three stars.

Reader's Guide

Brandon Dubinsky played junior hockey for the Portland Winter Hawks of the WHL for four seasons and was a two-time Western Conference second team All-Star before being drafted in the second round (60th overall) of the 2004 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers. He played for the Rangers from 2006 to 2012, then was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets on July 23, 2012, along with Artem Anisimov, Tim Erixon, and a first round draft pick in 2013, for Rick Nash, minor leaguer Steven Delisle and a conditional third round pick in the same draft. He served as an alternate captain for the Blue Jackets from October 8, 2015, until October 2017, when he was stripped of the 'A' by head coach John Tortorella. He retired after the 2018–19 season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Brandon Dubinsky?

He was a gritty forward who played seven seasons for Columbus after being traded from New York. Born in Alaska, he became a staple of the team's physical identity during his tenure.

What leadership positions did he hold?

He was named an alternate captain on October 8, 2015, leading the team by example for two years. Jack Johnson eventually replaced him in this role during October of 2017.