Cornell University Athletics

Senior Season — 2012-13
Birch continued to be one of the Big Red's steadiest defensive defensemen, anchoring a unit that was a perfect 8-for-8 in killing off two-man disadvantages. Serving as one of the team's tri-captains, Birch also pitched in offensively, scoring both of his goals in March. The latter was one of the season's most memorable goals, when he skated 140 feet and weaved his way through traffic before roofing a backhand on a breakaway to open the scoring just 48 seconds into the third and final game of an ECAC Hockey Championship quarterfinal series at Quinnipiac. His first goal of the season came on March 1 in a big win at Brown. 

Junior Season — 2011-12
Birch was one of three finalists for ECAC Hockey’s Best Defensive Defenseman Award, going more than two months without being on the ice for an even-strength goal against. The streak of 668 minutes, 49 seconds covered all 12 games in which Birch has appeared between Oct. 29 and Dec. 30, ending with Clarkson’s final goal at the Florida College Hockey Classic. Not surprisingly, Birch has a sterling rating of plus-12 despite frequently playing against the opposition’s top forwards. The pairing of Birch and senior Sean Whitney had not surrendered a five-on-five goal on the season until Jan. 28. Birch scored his lone goal of the season in that very same game, kicking off the scoring in a contest at Colgate. At the team's postseason banquet, Birch was presented the Cornell Hockey Association Award, which is given annually to the player whose contributions to the team don't show up in the box score, but rather are in the form of energy, heart and hustle.

Sophomore Season — 2010-11
Birch continued his development as a top-tier stay-at-home defenseman during his sophomore season, frequently matched up against the opposition's top line. He collected two goals and six assists for eight points in 30 games, while finishing the season with a +1 rating and 46 minutes in penalties. Birch scored his first career goal with a tally in the Big Red's 4-1 victory against Quinnipiac on Nov. 12, then scored later in the season on an unassisted goal on Feb. 5 against St. Lawrence. Birch also had six games with a single assist on the year. He suffered an injury during the Big Red's quarterfinal playoff series game three victory against Quinnipiac on March 13 and was forced to miss the ECAC Hockey semifinal victory against Dartmouth and the league title game on March 19.

Freshman Season — 2009-10
Birch had a strong season for the Big Red as a freshman, appearing in 32 games and picking up a pair of assists for two points. He made his collegiate debut in the 5-1 victory over Dartmouth on Nov. 6, scoring an assist in the contest. Birch later had an assist in the 6-2 victory against Colgate on Feb. 16. Birch finished the season with 10 minutes in penalties and was a +4.

Career Highs

Goals	1 (five times)	last at Quinnipiac, 3/17/13
Assists	2 (two times)	last at St. Lawrence, 2/18/12
Points	2 (two times)	last at St. Lawrence, 2/18/12
Shots	5	at Princeton, 1/14/12
Penalties	3 (two times)	last vs. Yale, 2/11/12
Penalty Minutes	14	at Harvard, 1/29/11

Before Cornell

Birch, a sixth-round selection of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2008 NHL Draft, served as an assistant captain for the Oakville Blades in 2008-09. He appeared in 62 games last year, scoring 35 points on 11 goals and 24 assists while leading Oakville to the finals of the OJHL. In 2007-08, he appeared in 32 games, scoring seven points on a goal and six assists. Birch was also selected to and named an assistant captain for Team Canada East of the World Junior A Challenge, earning a third-place finish.

Personal
Braden John Birch is the son of Jack and Laurie Birch and has an older sister. He is enrolled in the School of Hotel Administration.

Birch's Career Statistics

Year	GP	Goals	Assists	Points	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG
2009-10	32	0	2	2	+4	10	0	0	0
2010-11	30	2	6	8	+1	46	0	0	0
2011-12	32	1	6	7	+12	22	0	0	0
2012-13	34	2	2	4	0	14	0	0	0
Totals	128	5	16	21	+17	92	0	0	0