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

[Habsrule]

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.

You could say that Brzustewicz is playing a shutdown role. His partner is Matthew Andonovski who is one of the best defensive defencemen in the OHL. Brzustewicz is taking advantage of that and is playing more offensive.

Now I sound like I am contradicting myself there saying that he plays defensive. He does play against the oppositions top lines every game. Brzustewicz is very good at controlling the puck in the offensive zone. So is a good defensive player one who is big and physical or is a good defensive player one who controls the puck and keeps it as far away from his net as possible.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

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?

Even last year I saw him as having clear NHL potential as a puck mover.

The only question mark I have is how close to being fully physically mature is he. There were a few areas last year where I thought strength would be all he needs to add to improve puck battle winning (not that he was bad at it), but I've heard he's pretty physically mature already and he's a gym rat, so I'm not sure how much room he has to develop physically.
Still like his skill set a whole lot and think he'll be an NHLer. Will he be a point producing offensive defenseman, or will he be a very reliable puck moving defenseman at the next level is where I'm not sure, but there is a lot to like there.

 

[Superlative Soup]

You could say that Brzustewicz is playing a shutdown role. His partner is Matthew Andonovski who is one of the best defensive defencemen in the OHL. Brzustewicz is taking advantage of that and is playing more offensive.

Now I sound like I am contradicting myself there saying that he plays defensive. He does play against the oppositions top lines every game. Brzustewicz is very good at controlling the puck in the offensive zone. So is a good defensive player one who is big and physical or is a good defensive player one who controls the puck and keeps it as far away from his net as possible.

Andonovski-Brzustewicz. Feel bad for the play-by-play guy on a simple d to d pass.

 

[LemonSauceD]

Andonovski-Brzustewicz. Feel bad for the play-by-play guy on a simple d to d pass.

They’re not hard to say though if you know how to pronounce it.

And-donov-ski and Brew-ste-vich

I’d feel more bad for the guys who are writing up the score card

 

[LeProspector]

Late birthday ‘04 I wouldn’t expect anything less.

 

[Jay26]

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.

I second this. 100%. Hoping to hear from Kitchener fans on this.

 

[Knight53]

19 points during 8 game point streak with another 1G 2A today.

 

[M2Beezy]

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?

Id say his comparable is Hedman, but with more skill and determination

 

[Nucker101]

Id say his comparable is Hedman, but with more skill and determination

I was thinking a more dynamic Cale Makar

 

[MichaelFarrell]

I second this. 100%. Hoping to hear from Kitchener fans on this.

I think Hunter’s biggest strength as a defender right now is his intelligence with the puck. If he also was elite defensively, he would’ve gone quite a bit higher in the draft. He’ll need to improve his skating if he plans on improving his gap control.

I’m a big fan of Brzustewicz and think he has a great foundation to work with. I had him ranked 24 last year.

 

[dellzor]

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?

Hedman's size with Makar's offensive ability and skating and Fox's defensive skills

 

[LemonSauceD]

Hedman's size with Makar's offensive ability and skating and Fox's defensive skills

Coupled with Bobby Orr’s generational genetics

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

Another 3 pts night

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Late birthday ‘04 I wouldn’t expect anything less.

You have a point.

Brzustewicz is very good and could’ve been a first rounder. I don’t think he’ll lead the whole league in scoring, but he could lead defensemen in scoring.

This isn’t like some typical 75th pick that is born in July and is just scratching the surface. He’s a heralded former NTDP player that’s now in what is his fourth junior season, and he’s more of dependable player without the amazing tools that take time to develop. He’s pretty developed now and this is what he’ll be.

That’s a very good player and a steal in the third round, but this is close to what you’d expect from this player. Obviously not to this degree though.

 

[Knight53]

Coupled with Bobby Orr’s generational genetics

In all seriousness, he reminds me of Rasmus Andersson. Looking like a gem of a pick so far. Really hope he can make the WJC and show out there.

 

[Knight53]

Make it 20 points during his current 9 game point streak. Continues to lead the entire OHL in scoring.

 

[Knight53]

11 game point streak now with another 3 assists today. 24 points in 12 games, +14 and leads the entire OHL in scoring.

 

[Tim Wallach]

As a Kitchener STH, I have liked Brzustewicz’s game from day one. His agility is already NHL level. He can escape forechecks and wheel at that level. His vision and passing game is also elite.

He needed to bulk up and trust his shot more and he has done both. Still a work in progress but getting there. Sometimes gets a bit lackadaisical in the D zone and needs to improve his recoveries after turnovers, but I’m seeing improvement there too.

Stylistically, a fair bit like Jordan Harris on Montreal.

 

[DFAC]

Favorite Canuck prospect from this draft - don't expect him to keep up this torrid pace but it's nice to see. Is he a lock for Team USA now at the WJC?

 

[LeProspector]

Favorite Canuck prospect from this draft - don't expect him to keep up this torrid pace but it's nice to see. Is he a lock for Team USA now at the WJC?

No he isn‘t.

USA don’t take kindly to players that ditch the NTDP.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

No he isn‘t.

USA don’t take kindly to players that ditch the NTDP.

How did he ditch the NTDP? He played there with the U17 and U18 programs over 2 years, then the following season (after his NDTP eligibility/commitment was officially over) went to Kitchener instead of going to the NCAA.

 

[LeProspector]

How did he ditch the NTDP? He played there with the U17 and U18 programs over 2 years, then the following season (after his NDTP eligibility/commitment was officially over) went to Kitchener instead of going to the NCAA.

Yeah, you’re right, I’m wrong.

I retract my statement.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

Id say his comparable is Hedman, but with more skill and determination

I was thinking a more dynamic Cale Makar

Both of these are a lower bound I'm thinking

 

[DollardStLaurent]

How did he ditch the NTDP? He played there with the U17 and U18 programs over 2 years, then the following season (after his NDTP eligibility/commitment was officially over) went to Kitchener instead of going to the NCAA.

I think he would have developed his defensive skills much better in the NCAA.

 

[Bobby9]

Kind of reminds me of Josh Morrisey