Eric Brewer was the New York Islanders second pick in the 1997 NHL Draft, 5th overall. He was selected immediately after the Islanders made Roberto Luongo the highest drafted goaltender in modern draft history at 4th overall. Brewer was touted as a smart swift skating defenseman who was very skilled at making the initial pass out of the defensive zone. It was also believed that he would have a very good offensive upside. When he joined the Islanders from Prince George of the WHL in 1998, the young Brewer was thrusted right into the heat of the action for the Islanders. On some nights he showed his immense potential and skills with heady play and turned some heads. The Isles brass led by head coach Mike Milbury decided to take it slow with Brewer and sat him out on given nights so he could watch and learn the game. On a weak team Brewer's future provided some hope.

     Unfortunately things did not go as planned in his second season with the Islanders. In 1999-00 Brewer struggled on yet another poor Islander team. He also frustrated the Islanders with his poor on ice decisions and uninspired play. He often lacked emotion. At times it seemed like Brewer was totally lost out there and opposing forwards found their way right around him. So Brewer was shuttled back and forth between the Islanders and their AHL affiliate the Lowell Lock Monsters. It seemed like Brewer's days were numbered with the Isles once the summer of 2000 came around. It was during that time that Charles Wang bought the team and promised to invest more money into the franchise. Then, on June 24, 2000, the weekend of the draft, Mike Milbury used Brewer to acquire Roman Hamrlik from the Edmonton Oilers. The cash strapped Oilers were looking to deal Hamrlik and the Islanders needed a power play quarterback. So Milbury traded a defensive prospect for an already established blue line veteran. The deal also saw LW Josh Green and the Isles 2000 second round pick (Brad Winchester) go to Edmonton. While the Islanders seemed to win the deal, some who still believed in Brewer felt the Isles were giving up alot by sending the 21 year old to Edmonton for a 26 year old Hamrlik.

     Roman Hamrlik went on to anchore the Islanders defense, but Brewer surprisingly turned his game around upon arriving in Edmonton. With a fresh start he impressed many onlookers who believe he may one day become a Norris Trophy candidate. He developed well under the wide open play of the Western Conference and had back to back 7 goal, 20+ point seasons. At the same time, Hamrlik scored 27 goals and over 80 points in his two seasons with the Islanders. 

     After a couple more productive seasons with the Oilers, Brewer was once again dealt to the St. Louis Blues in 2005 in a package exchange for Chris Pronger, a defenseman who had already won the Norris Trophy in his career. The Blues have been among the worst teams' in the NHL for the last two seasons. Brewer had an injury filled 2005-06 and recorded only 9 points in 32 games.

     As for Hamrlik, he went unsigned by the Islanders in 2005 and signed with the Calgary Flames as an unrestricted free agent.