Brett Harkins

Brett Alan Harkins (born July 2, 1970) is a former American professional ice hockey left wing, who played for 18 years. He played in National Hockey League in four stints with the Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, and Columbus Blue Jackets. Harkins is currently the head coach of the Cleveland Barons midget minor hockey team. Brett is also the younger brother of Todd Harkins, who played for the Hartford Whalers and Calgary Flames.

Amateur career

Harkins attended St. Edward High School, located in Lakewood, Ohio, a western suburb of Cleveland. He was an integral member of the 1986 Ohio High School Athletic Association State "big school" hockey champions. However, he would leave St. Edward to attend St. Andrews High School north of Toronto before joining the Junior A Brockville Braves. He played in 38 games for Detroit Compuware Ambassadors of the NAJHL in 1988-89, scoring 69 points. He would play collegiately for Bowling Green State University from 1989 to 1993. Brett is now the head coach of the Midget Minor Cleveland Barons along with his brother Donnie Harkins and Assistant Coach Jeremy Bronson.

Professional career

He was drafted in the seventh round, 133rd overall, by the New York Islanders in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. He played seventy-eight games in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, and Columbus Blue Jackets. He last played professionally in Sweden, most recently with Rögle BK of HockeyAllsvenskan in 2008.

Awards and honors