Born in Johnstone, Scotland, Brown emigrated to Canada in his youth. He first gained some attention with the Hamilton Bengal Cubs in 1937-38. He was a solid player the next year for the senior Stratford Majors then scored 21 goals for the junior Guelph Biltmores in 1939-40.

During his first pro season, Brown scored 36 points in 28 games for the AHA's Omaha Knights in 1940-41. He split the next year between the minors and the Detroit Red Wings and was disappointed when he didn't make the NHL at training camp in 1942. Rather than sulk, Brown scored 34 goals for the AHL's Indianapolis Capitals then joined the Wings for their drive to the Stanley Cup in 1943.

Brown scored a personal-high 24 goals in 1943-44 when he played on a line with Don Grosso and Joe Carveth. The next season he played senior hockey then returned to score 20 goals for Detroit in 1945-46. In December 1946 he joined the Chicago Black Hawks in a deal that brought Leo Reise and Pete Horeck to Motown. Brown was a solid defensive player for nearly five years in Chicago before playing 33 games for the Boston Bruins in 1951-52. He retired in 1955 after playing two and a half years in the minors and one season with the NOHA's Sudbury Wolves.

Courtesy of the Hockey Hall of Fame