Friday Feature: Condors Captain Brad Malone To Retire Following 2024 Playoffs

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BAKERSFIELD, Ca. - There is still work to be done - hopefully a long run toward the AHL Calder Cup - but after 14 seasons, the last seven with the Bakersfield Condors, Brad Malone, who will turn 35 next month, is calling it a career.

Saturday night at Mechanic’s Bank Arena in Bakersfield, Ca. will be his final regular season game. If he plays in Henderson on Friday night it will be 770 games - 217 of those spent at the NHL level.

The 6-foot-2, 216-pound center leads the AHL era Condors in games played (315) and has put up 187 points. He also had call ups to the Edmonton Oilers in four of his seven seasons in what is known as Condorstown.

“Leadership. Determination. Never quit style and work ethic. Longevity,” Condors Coach Colin Chaulk said of what Malone brought to the table. “Being an American League player then to do what he did my first year (20-21) - to be called up, score some big goals and play in playoff games in the Conference Final in the NHL is  pretty exceptional."

“Doing all that and being the captain here, being a big part of our power play and penalty kill, playing in all of those roles. He was able to be an impactful player on both sides of the puck.”

Malone has battled injuries this season and his on-ice role changed to the point where he has sat out for veteran (too many) issues as well as some healthy scratches.

"It didn't matter if he was going to be scratched or play," said Condors GM Keith Gretzky. "He never dragged his lip."

Gretzky joined the Edmonton Oilers as assistant General Manager in 2016 but his main function since Malone's arrival has been as GM of the Condors and he said Malone has been a big part of changing the culture.

"Most importantly, the one thing we tried to change when we came down here full time was the culture - it is not just a holiday place for older guys to come, relax and finish their career," Gretzky said. "He brought a lot of leadership and a lot of values for the young kids to learn to be a pro on and off the ice. That's the most important thing."

Here is our conversation with Malone earlier this week

Mike Griffith = MG Brad Malone = BM

Mike Griffith (MG): Has the year gone personally as well as you would have liked?

Brad Malone (BM): "I think so. Personally, in the position I'm in, it's about team success. The role that I've had to accept and come to terms of where I'm at in my career and my age. I think I'm very happy with the job I did considering some of the injuries I've dealt with throughout the year. Those things are just kind of internal. I'm very pleased with how it went but to be honest I'm still looking forward to the playoffs. The whole reflecting thing on my season hasn't fully digested."

MG: How difficult has it been, especially recently, to be sitting out as captain of the team and watching from the stands? (With extra vets, Malone has been scratched for several games).

BM: "It's more difficult when we're losing, or things just aren't going according to plan team wise. Sitting there watching those games are difficult. Watching the team win and succeed is good. At this point there's an understanding. It wasn't an easy situation to confront personally and kind of deal with, but once you come to terms with reality and the situation at hand there's no arguing or pity party. Again, it comes back for what's best for the team. You learn a lot in your first few years as a player and I think I'm learning a lot more now about the other stuff and the other part of the game. It's been a really good education in emotional intelligence and social IQ on how to conduct yourself in situations like this. And being a leader in the room when guys look at you. When you're younger you can kind of get away with certain activities, but as an older guy you're under the microscope. It's been a good learning experience."

MG: Is this a case where Father Time and years and mileage just caught up?

BM: "I still think I have some gas in the tank, to be honest. But, with the injuries that are kind of lingering still, it's a day to day process. There are days I feel like I'm 25 again, but at the end of the day it's not fair to the organization or the guys in the room if I'm not capable of performing at the level I used to. For me to be successful, I need to be skating and physical. I need to have my legs. Some days they're just not capable. That's been a learning process too, how to play the game at a slower level, understanding not to get frustrated and not take chances when you can."

MG: You seem to be a bit more frustrated on the ice recently (a pair of misconduct penalties and game misconduct over the previous two weeks). Are you trying to fill a different role and not putting up with any shenanigans?

BM: "Well, it's the time of the year. The understanding of what's coming here. I think if you can't lead on the scoreboard in putting points in the back of the net for the team, I'm trying to be an emotional leader - trying to set a tone for the team itself. There are circumstances 10 years ago I probably would have stood up for my teammates with my fists. Now, at this time of my career, it's probably not the best life decision to be using those. Probably using my mouth a little too much. But just trying to play with some passion, show the guys I care and lead that way."

MG: What are you looking for heading into the playoffs?

BM: "Honestly, I'm looking for our team to play a full 60 minutes, not just physically, but mentally. The conversations the last few weeks and a little past have been that we're kind of doing it to ourselves. And that's a learning process each team goes through every year. For us, with the locker room we have in there, I think sometimes you might get  a little complacent and expect the next guy to do it. Getting a little lackadaisical mentally, not even taking a shift off but just not being fully on edge and firm. I think if we stay engaged mentally with all the talent in our room and the game plan we have it will lead to a lot more success than we've had."

MG: It's kind of like what I call the Jekyll and Hyde of this team. You play a San Diego (2-2 record) or San Jose (4-3-1) and I think, my gosh, what's going on, then you up against a Tucson (6-1-1) or Coachella Valley (4-4) and it seems everything is working -  the forechecking, the systems are working well, people are winning battles. It seems like two entirely different teams and I realize that happens. But it probably happens more often than you'd like.

BM: "That comes back to maturity and just growth. It's a long season. There are some games where the emotions just aren't there and you know that. You still have to find a way to be a professional. We've had hard conversations within the room as a team just about those type of things. At the end of the day it's a development league and you know that's a skill you need to develop to be an everyday player in the NHL. It's good conversations to have now. I think the lessons we've learned will prepare us well for the next few months."

MG: You’ve had a long career here in Bakersfield and played in a lot of NHL games with the Oilers (31 plus two playoff games). What are some of your memories and thoughts on being able to play in more NHL games?

BM "There's a lot of people to thank. I know in hockey as much as it's about yourself and determination and belief, you need people within an organization and not just a couple but a handful and more to believe in you and your abilities to help the team win and be able to play in the best league in the world. I've learned a lot from a lot of people and it will be a very nice thing to look back on and reflect. One of my proudest moments is basically be written off to being a National Hockey League player then getting an opportunity to come back and play some more games for a really good team. I'm very proud to say I played as an Oiler. Give credit to the way things are done here and have been done here. I was just another product of the system. I'm proud to be one of those guys as well."

MG: Can you talk about being the longest running captain here in Bakersfield (four seasons), coming in as a younger, kind of tweener type of guy, and growing into a role and growing into a family here in Bakersfield.

BM: "When you look at it that way, you first have to talk about the guys that did the job before me. Ryan Hamilton is still someone I keep in touch with and every time I see him it's the same type of joy. I remember playing against him when I was a rookie and in Toronto. He was a captain then and a leader. When I came here to Bakersfield he was exactly that same person. Him and Keegan (Lowe) are the two guys I learned a lot from, going from a guy that leaned more toward taking care of myself and worrying about my production and getting call ups and having a longer career. As things progressed and opportunities here became more, that's when I started worrying more about the team. I kind of evolved into one of those type of people. That wasn't always the case but I learned from those guys - captains, the coaches and the other guys I've played with. I'm not a type of leader that leads by himself. There's a lot of guys I have to thank for keeping me in the right position and keeping me on the straight and narrow."

MG: Have you thought about your post hockey future?

BM: "Yeah, I have. Obviously I think when you start having these conversations and we're having them now, I'm the type of guy that doesn't like to lead into the future without a plan. The family and I are hopeful for some things to come but again, I go back to my first comment. It's about right now, not so much reflecting and looking forward."

MG: There's going to be a big crowd on Saturday. Have you thought about the emotions about skating out there for your final regular-season game in Bakersfield?

BM: "A little bit. It's one of those things where I really don't know how to process it. Obviously, there's a lot of people I'm going to think about - my parents, my brother, my whole family and extended family back home. Just the support they've shown me throughout the years. Not just here in Bakersfield, but my whole career. This has been a 20-year journey for me since I Ieft home. To kind of close it out this way and in a place I've played my longest, other than home. And now that we call Bakersfield home I think it's going to be pretty special. Some of the people in the stands are not just fans of the club but close family friends, people that we socialize with away from  the rink. Having a little farewell or a little salute to them and the thankfulness that I have for them and the support they've shown me and my family as an individual, that's probably the biggest thing I'm going to miss. One of the things I'm most proud of is the community we've built here. Guys come and go, but it stays close years after. I'm very proud that is the way things are done here and very hopeful they're going to stay that way for a long time to come."