RD Hunter Brzustewicz - Kitchener Rangers, WHL (2023, 75th, VAN; traded to CAL)

[sting101]

A lot of puck moving potential he has 1st round early 2nd ability but as i watched him more his defensive game and 1v1 battles left a lot to be desired. plays a bit small in that regard but given draft position if he can bulk up and learn to use his body a bit more he could be a good player for Vancouver. Easier to build muscle and advance a defensive game than advance talent at 18-22. Like the pick

 

[MichaelFarrell]

A lot of puck moving potential he has 1st round early 2nd ability but as i watched him more his defensive game and 1v1 battles left a lot to be desired. plays a bit small in that regard but given draft position if he can bulk up and learn to use his body a bit more he could be a good player for Vancouver. Easier to build muscle and advance a defensive game than advance talent at 18-22. Like the pick

I think he’s a steal at 75. He has some deficiencies in his game, but he’s without a doubt one of the best defenseman in the draft with the puck on his stick. He’s a very smart defenseman that plays a mature game. I think Vancouver should be pretty happy with this pick.

 

[Habsrule]

I’m a Kitchener STH and he had really impressed me last season. Keep in mind it was his first season in the OHL. He plays a very mature, high IQ game. I actually wish he took more chances offensively because he has the skill there but doesn’t use it too often. He would join the rush sometimes and it would lead to offence. He makes the smart outlet pass.

The Kitchener Rangers had a shit show of a season. Terrible new coach who was fired at the trade deadline. They team played with no system and it was a bunch of individuals playing together. Brzustewicz was one of a few players who actually had a good season. He could play more physical but he is good with his stick. Play smarter and not harder.

He is a steal in the third round. I had him penciled him in the 30-50 range.

 

[Coffey]

I don’t envy his last name. And my last name is similar lol

 

[emptyNedder]

He is a steal in the third round. I had him penciled him in the 30-50 range.

I have a model that identifies under-valued D. The model had him in the 30-45 range. So definitely a great value in the 3rd.

 

[Raistlin]

I think when he doesnt have a memorable skill that pops for scouts, they fall. that is until underlying stats adds up all the above average parts and you realize just how well rounded he is. I think Rasmus Andersson is a great example.

 

[Kevin Musto]

I don’t envy his last name. And my last name is similar lol

Everyone just calls him Brew

 

[rt]

Always impressed me when I watched Kitchener. Underrated. Good pick by Vancouver.

 

[DFAC]

Love the pick, welcome to Vancouver!

 

[Jives]

He was by far the most consistent player all season for Kitchener as a season ticket holder. Pinelli was hot and cold. Those 2 were for sure are best 2 players. I watch him and think of Sandin. He can provide offence as a go to guy in the CHL but I think could be decent at a PP2 guy in NHL. Just a smart player.

 

[Knight53]

4 assists today. Going to have a massive year.

 

[Knight53]

1G 2A +3 today. 10 points in 6 games and tied for dman scoring in the OHL.

 

[Canucks LB]

Holy moly

 

[LemonSauceD]

I was very high on this kid last season and had him at the tail end of 1st round/just outside of the first round as well.

For reference, I had Dragicevic, Gibson, Strbak, Dvorak, Bertucci, and Cleveland (taken in the 2nd round) all behind Brzustewicz and was extremely surprised to say the least he fell in the 3rd round considering he had better a draft season than those guys and has a much more of a robust and complete game.

He’ll be on Team USA at the World Juniors without a doubt.

 

[wetcoast]

I was very high on this kid last season and had him at the tail end of 1st round/just outside of the first round as well.

For reference, I had Dragicevic, Gibson, Strbak, Dvorak, Bertucci, and Cleveland (taken in the 2nd round) all behind Brzustewicz and was extremely surprised to say the least he fell in the 3rd round considering he had better a draft season than those guys and has a much more of a robust and complete game.

He’ll be on Team USA at the World Juniors without a doubt.

It was funny as I was really pissed off that we traded our 2nd rounder in the Hronek trade and we ended up drafting him 75th might turn out to be a steal and if not at least its fun to watch soem Canuck prospects actually doing really well with him and Lekkerimaki, Willander and Aiden Celebrini off to a great start eh?

 

[Izzy Goodenough]

His skill won't matter unless he is also good at winning puck battles.

Can someone comment on this please?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

He’ll be on Team USA at the World Juniors without a doubt.

I think he has a chance, but I wouldn’t say without a doubt. There are already two right shots that are locks as returning players, Rinzel is a lock as a first round pick that is big, and then he’ll be competing with others for the fourth right shot spot, if we end up picking four.

 

[Knight53]

16 points in 8 games.

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

Leading the OHL in scoring as a D
This is getting silly

 

[Szechwan]

16 points in 8 games.

Liked the pick but did not expect this kind of year out of him

 

[Fraser28]

He is obviously putting up ridiculous numbers right now, but where do you guys realistically project him to be at the NHL level (best guess)? Is he starting to look like a sure fire NHL defender?

 

[Jives]

Ranger season ticket holder here says 3rd or 4th NHL dman. I’ve said it before but Sandin. I think Sandin will be an awesome 3rd or 4th guy in a couple years. That’s Brzu upside imo.

 

[Habsrule]

Last year he just seemed to make the smart play every time and played more of a safe game. You could see the skill there but he didn’t have one stand out attribute. He was just really good at everything. I think that is why he slipped in the NHL draft to the third round.

Now this year he is playing with a lot more confidence. Last year he would make the smart play and chip the puck out off the glass. This year he is more looking to skate the puck out or hit an outlet pass. He has joined the play a whole lot more and it has led to a lot more offence from him. It’s sure impressive to have 16 points through 8 games.

 

[Raistlin]

Ranger season ticket holder here says 3rd or 4th NHL dman. I’ve said it before but Sandin. I think Sandin will be an awesome 3rd or 4th guy in a couple years. That’s Brzu upside imo.

SURELY, sir you're not suggesting the Canucks drafted an NHL regular beyond the 2nd round? The last time the phenomenon happened was 2014 with Forsling. and then 2004 with Edler before that. Would it be preposterous to suggest a once every decade spectacle is unfolding before our very eyes in Hunter Bruwhazizname?

 

[IComeInPeace]

While I didn’t see enough of the prospects tournament to comment, this is what Daniel Wagner posted after he was sent back to Kitchener:

“…The prospect tournament also illustrated some of the weak areas of his game that need improvement, as he got beaten several times in the defensive zone.”

Stat watching is fun because we don’t often get much to get our spirits up around here, but it’s being reliable defensively that will make or break him: without that, he’s going to be just another Jack Rathbone type that a coach never trusts to see ice at the NHL level.

As much as I love reading about the numbers, I’d also love to start hearing how they are also using him in a shutdown role in Kitchener as well when the game is on the line. I think he has that in him if he develops.