During the summer of 1997, the Whalers franchise relocated and became the Carolina Hurricanes for the 1997-98 season. In 32 games with the Hurricanes, Brown struggled offensively, scoring three goals and 13 points. On December 20, 1997, Brown suffered a deep gash in his shin from a Washington Capitals players skate, resulting the injury be stitched up, as Brown was able to return to action. On January 2, 1998, the Hurricanes traded Brown to the Toronto Maple Leafs for the Maple Leafs fourth round draft pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. This trade was made the day before Kirk McLean was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks.