Raised in Ashcroft, BC, Eric Brewer began playing hockey in the Ashcroft Minor Hockey program. He excelled with the Kamloops Bantam AAA Jardine Blazers of the BCAHA and went on to play for the WHL Prince George Cougars, being named the Cougars’ Rookie of the Year in his first season. He was drafted 5th overall by the New York Islanders in June 1997.

Eric Brewer played with the Islanders, Oilers, Blues (where he became the team’s 19th captain), Lightning, Ducks, and Maple Leafs. At the height of his career in St. Louis and Tampa, having already played in the NHL all-star game in 2003, he was considered one of the NHL’s top 2-way defencemen. He would play 16 seasons in the NHL before retiring in 2015. Brewer finished his NHL career with 1009 regular-season games and 34 playoff games, totalling 80 goals, 208 assists and 288 points.

Brewer first wore the Team Canada jersey at the 1998 IIHF World Junior Championship where he served as an alternate captain. Brewer represented Canada at 5 IIHF World Championships, winning gold three times (2003, 2004, 2007). Brewer was also a member of Team Canada for the 2004 World Cup of Hockey where he secured gold. He made his Olympic debut at Salt Lake City 2002 where he and Team Canada captured gold, ending a 50-year Olympic gold medal drought for the country men’s ice hockey. Brewer notched two goals during his Olympic debut.

After his playing career, Eric Brewer purchased a stake in the Prince George Cougars in 2014 and remains as one of the team’s owners.