He played junior hockey for the Winnipeg Monarchs, who were then a New York Americans' farm team, in 1939-40. The following season he turned pro with the Springfield Indians and got into six games with the Americans, scoring a goal. In 1941-42 he played 21 games for the renamed Brooklyn Americans and scored two assists. When the team suspended operations in 1942, Branigan's rights were accquired by the Detroit Red Wings in a special dispersal draft. Branigan returned to Canada to play senior hockey with the Winnipeg RCAF Bombers in 1942-43, 1943-44, and 1944-45.