All-Delco Ice Hockey Player of the Year: Springfield’s leading man was unmistakably Brawley

SPRINGFIELD — As an eighth-grader, Ryan Brawley watched Springfield hockey from the bleachers. It was March and the Cougars, in what has become an annual event, were playing in the Flyers Cup Class A final. Brawley was enamored with everything he saw.

“It seemed like the entire school was there,” he said. “It was cool and exciting. I couldn’t believe that I was going to be there in a year.”

His brother, Sean, was a senior on that Springfield squad. Older brother Kevin had preceded them both. Eric, the third brother, was on the rise in the Cougars system. All three played in multiple Flyers Cups, part of the growing tradition of Springfield hockey.

The career of Ryan, the youngest brother, culminated the Brawley’s reign, a hockey family with a hockey name.

“It was a huge part of my family when I was younger,” Ryan Brawley said. “My dad had me on the ice when I was 2 or 3 years old. My three older brothers played for Springfield. I’m the last one to come through.”

He is the last … and perhaps the most accomplished. In four years for the Cougars, Ryan Brawley appeared in four Flyers Cup finals, winning one. He was part of an undefeated Central League team as a junior. He led Springfield in points as a sophomore and in goals as a junior and senior.

Brawley is a three-time All-Delco performer and, after reaching career highs in all three major offensive categories, the 2014 Daily Times Player of the Year.

But Brawley is not one to hold such accolades over people’s heads, namely his brothers’.

“I definitely wouldn’t be where I am without them,” he said. “I owe them credit rather than having bragging rights.”

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