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

[Pavel Buchnevich]

The best comp I’ve seen is Rasmus Sandin. Hockey sense is the best part. He’s not the most physical or best skater, but probably tall enough, strong enough, fast enough to allow the hockey sense to be the driver.

Yeah, you’re right, I’m wrong.

I retract my statement.

But you’re not wrong about his WJC chances. I think they are like 35%.

Not strong, but not horrible.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

on a 13 game point streak; 26 points.

 

[BluesyShoes]

I haven't watched him a ton, but from some shift-by-shifts, I gotta say its a bit surprising he is putting up these points. He doesn't really have any standout dynamic tools, but he distributes and uses his teammates very well, and sees the ice very clearly for a junior player. From what I have seen, his team plays an extremely tidy game for CHL, their coaching must be fantastic. I am not used to seeing so little scrambling and puck chasing at the junior level; not to put them down but it really highlights how much slower the pace of the junior game is relative to the pro game when guys aren't chasing so much. Credit to Brzustewicz for executing and thriving in that environment, it is very promising for moving to the next level. I think his level of success at higher levels hangs on his ability to develop his physical tools much more than they are at this point. I am no expert, but to my eye his skating really looks like it could hold him back; he actually appears a bit disengaged at points because he looks heavy out there. He doesn't look awkward or stiff, or really have issues with mobility, it all just happens a bit too slowly; he needs to develop that quickness and footspeed to defend against pro players. So long as he can continue processing the game when the pace ramps up and build some athleticism in the gym, I'm excited to see what he can do at higher levels.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

14 game point streak now.

 

[Fatass]

14 game point streak now.

Some super good D come from round three. And it’s sure trending like this guy is the next great one out of that round.

 

[Buresflyingelbow]

Between Him, Willander and Hronek Vancouver might have hit the jackpot on the Right side in one calendar year. I can’t stress what a massive turnaround this is for a franchise that has neglected the position for as long as I can remember.

Exciting times

 

[zcaptain]

Man, you guys in the east don't like talking about Canuck prospects.......this kid is the bomb!

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Points in 18 out of 20 games, closing in 40 points (36)

 

[VanJack]

Scoring is just so hard for NHL forwards playing five-on-five, that it's almost imperative that you get some scoring from your blueline.

In the OHL at least, Brzustewicz is point-point producing machine. So if he can replicate even a portion of that as a pro, he'll be well worth the third round draft pick the Canucks expended on him.

 

[Knight53]

 

[Tim Wallach]

Some good assessments here, but as someone who watches him every game, I'm a bit puzzled by the comments about no dynamic skills and not the best skater. His skating is terrific. He doesn't go full afterburner a lot as he plays a more measured, controlled game. But his skating, pivots, edges and speed are all way up there on the charts.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Some good assessments here, but as someone who watches him every game, I'm a bit puzzled by the comments about no dynamic skills and not the best skater. His skating is terrific. He doesn't go full afterburner a lot as he plays a more measured, controlled game. But his skating, pivots, edges and speed are all way up there on the charts.

Thanks for the update. Appreciate the views of someone who has watched him extensively as I’ve only watched highlights.
Ps. Great username and avatar!

 

[Tim Wallach]

Thanks for the update. Appreciate the views of someone who has watched him extensively as I’ve only watched highlights.
Ps. Great username and avatar!

Thank you.
Yes, I'm a big fan of Hunter. He is best suited to exactly the style Vancouver is playing this year.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

41 points, pace for 108 points

 

[UrbanImpact]

LOL he is left off from Team USA's tryout camp.... not even the final cut, just tryouts. All Dmen for Team USA plays NCAA hockey.

-1st in Dmen scoring in OHL
- 3rd in overall scoring in OHL

46 pts in 28 games played




Funny how this article dropped on the same day that Team USA announced their camp invites.
Maybe TEAM USA hasnt seen Hunter this year and think he is just an offensive D-man despite playing all situations for Kitchener.

 

[Raistlin]

Its their gold medal.

Frankly its a stupid bias, at least Hockey Canada is not susceptible to it.

 

[William H Bonney]

LOL he is left off from Team USA's tryout camp.... not even the final cut, just tryouts. All Dmen for Team USA plays NCAA hockey.

-1st in Dmen scoring in OHL
- 3rd in overall scoring in OHL

46 pts in 28 games played




Funny how this article dropped on the same day that Team USA announced their camp invites.
Maybe TEAM USA hasnt seen Hunter this year and think he is just an offensive D-man despite playing all situations for Kitchener.

They've seen him plenty. The reality is he's behind two locks (Casey, Chesley) on the right side, the RHD options are deep, and they want more diverse player roles than Hunter would offer on a team that will have plenty of offensive talent from the backend.

There is no agenda against Hunter or the CHL. USAH is more familiar and experienced with Hunter than they are the CHLers they invited to camp.

Hunter would make the team in most tournaments. It's just bad timing for him as it's a tournament with a lot of RHD / offensive defenseman options, which isn't always the case, especially with the former.

Not inviting him could be a mistake. But it doesn't mean there's some conspiracy at hand.

 

[Raistlin]

They've seen him plenty. The reality is he's behind two locks (Casey, Chesley) on the right side, the RHD options are deep, and they want more diverse player roles than Hunter would offer on a team that will have plenty of offensive talent from the backend.

There is no agenda against Hunter or the CHL. USAH is more familiar and experienced with Hunter than they are the CHLers they invited to camp.

Hunter would make the team in most tournaments. It's just bad timing for him as it's a tournament with a lot of RHD / offensive defenseman options, which isn't always the case, especially with the former.

Not inviting him could be a mistake. But it doesn't mean there's some conspiracy at hand.

I get that, its the bolded that seems they are making a statement. Whats the downside to it?

 

[William H Bonney]

I get that, its the bolded that seems they are making a statement. Whats the downside to it?

They back themselves into a corner and end up choosing a defensive group like they did last tournament with a bunch of small guys that all play the same style.

The statement is they think their right side of the defense and PP is pretty locked down. Hutson is the PP1 QB. Casey and Chesley are locks. Rinzel probably is too. Buium is an LHD but plays the right side for Denver and Carle who's the WJC coach. It's an extremely crowded field.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Not even the worst omission.

He should’ve made the camp. I think that’s disrespectful.

He wasn’t making the team. There was no fit. Be mad that Hutson and Casey made it last year, and were having good years this year. That gave him little shot.

 

[Warh1ppy]

I had a pre draft thread back in May ish about sleeper picks taken out of the first 2 rounds and Hunter was one of the my top picks for defensive prospects.

It's crazy team USA left him off of the roster but they play the same politics game as team Canada does so it's their choice to pick or leave him.

Has been interesting following this kid though. Living in the Penticton area I've had the opportunity to see a ton of solid youth prospects especially with the Young Stars tournament and the Vees playing to the levels they have.

Hunter is a gem but is still a wait and see; but seeing him in penticton against the tops that the Flames Oilers and Jets had he was a stand out for sure. Not the same way Makar was in the world tournament held here prior to his draft but solid against top tier competition for his level.

 

[Rydgar]

They've seen him plenty. The reality is he's behind two locks (Casey, Chesley) on the right side, the RHD options are deep, and they want more diverse player roles than Hunter would offer on a team that will have plenty of offensive talent from the backend.

There is no agenda against Hunter or the CHL. USAH is more familiar and experienced with Hunter than they are the CHLers they invited to camp.

Hunter would make the team in most tournaments. It's just bad timing for him as it's a tournament with a lot of RHD / offensive defenseman options, which isn't always the case, especially with the former.

Not inviting him could be a mistake. But it doesn't mean there's some conspiracy at hand.

I mean he wasn't even invited to camp. That's pretty much saying he wasn't considered even their 5-6th best RHD which is outrageous. Again, Hunter isn't some pure offensive Dman, he does play defense effectively as well.

 

[LeProspector]

No he isn‘t.

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

In all honesty though. they already have many players that bring something similar to the table that are better.

 

[BCNate]

I could see them going a different direction wen it comes to making the team, that is fair. Not even having him to camp seems questionable.

 

[William H Bonney]

In all honesty though. they already have many players that bring something similar to the table that are better.

I like that you're agreeing with yourself about an incorrect point, haha. Hunter didn't ditch the NTDP.