Eric Brewer, Canadian ice hockey player

The name Eric Brewer refers to two distinct and highly accomplished individuals, each prominent in their respective fields: one a revered figure in professional ice hockey, known for his robust defensive play, and the other a pioneering computer scientist whose work has fundamentally shaped the internet and distributed systems. While sharing a common name, their careers and contributions have unfolded in vastly different arenas, making it essential to differentiate between them when encountering the name.

Eric Brewer (Ice Hockey Player)

Born in 1979 in Prince George, British Columbia, Eric Brewer is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenseman whose career spanned over a decade in the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted fifth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, Brewer quickly established himself as a reliable and physical presence on the blue line. He was known for his strong defensive play, shot-blocking ability, and leadership qualities, making him a valuable asset to every team he played for.

Throughout his extensive NHL career, Brewer donned the jerseys of several prominent teams, including the Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He served as an alternate captain for both the Oilers and the Blues, underscoring his influence within the dressing room. While a Stanley Cup eluded him personally, he reached the Stanley Cup Final with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004, a memorable season for the franchise. His international career was equally distinguished, as he proudly represented Canada on multiple occasions, winning gold medals at the 2003 and 2004 IIHF World Championships and earning an Olympic gold medal with Team Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, although he did not play in the tournament itself, he was part of the wider roster selected. Brewer’s career reflected the quintessential hard-nosed, dependable defenseman crucial to any successful team.

Eric Brewer (Computer Scientist)

An eminent American computer scientist, Eric Brewer is widely recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to distributed systems, internet infrastructure, and cloud computing. Currently a Vice President of Infrastructure at Google, his career is marked by a blend of academic rigor and entrepreneurial innovation. Brewer is a professor of computer science at the University of California, Berkeley, where his research has significantly influenced the design and architecture of large-scale internet services.

Perhaps his most famous contribution is the CAP Theorem, also known as Brewer's Conjecture, which he articulated in 2000. This fundamental principle states that it is impossible for a distributed data store to simultaneously provide more than two out of three guarantees: Consistency (all nodes see the same data at the same time), Availability (every request receives a response about whether it was successful or failed), and Partition tolerance (the system continues to operate despite arbitrary message loss or failure of part of the system). The CAP Theorem has become a cornerstone in the design of modern distributed databases and web services, guiding architects in making critical trade-offs. Beyond his academic work, Brewer co-founded Inktomi Corporation in 1996, a pioneering internet search engine and caching company that played a significant role in early web infrastructure. His move to Google in 2010 further solidified his impact on global internet services, where he continues to drive innovation in high-performance and scalable computing.

Frequently Asked Questions about Eric Brewer

Are the ice hockey player Eric Brewer and the computer scientist Eric Brewer the same person?
No, they are two entirely distinct individuals who happen to share the same name. One is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, and the other is an American computer scientist.
What is the ice hockey player Eric Brewer best known for?
He is primarily known for his long and successful career as a defensive defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL), playing for teams like the Edmonton Oilers and St. Louis Blues, and representing Canada in international competitions, including an Olympic gold medal in 2002 and two World Championship gold medals.
What is the computer scientist Eric Brewer most famous for?
He is most renowned for formulating the CAP Theorem (Consistency, Availability, Partition tolerance), a foundational principle in distributed systems design, and for his work as a professor at UC Berkeley, co-founder of Inktomi, and his role at Google.
Where did Eric Brewer the ice hockey player play in the NHL?
His NHL career included stints with the Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks, and Toronto Maple Leafs.
What significant companies has Eric Brewer the computer scientist been involved with?
He co-founded Inktomi Corporation, a prominent internet infrastructure company, and currently serves as a Vice President of Infrastructure at Google, following a distinguished academic career at the University of California, Berkeley.