Canucks: How Hunter Brzustewicz became product of rich hockey factory

Hunter Brzustewicz endured the rite of prospect’s passage Sunday at UBC.

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Like many of his peers, the exhausted defenceman was bent over with hands on his knees at the conclusion of demanding drills. The opening session of the Vancouver Canucks’ development camp came as advertised with an emphasis on pace and awareness.

And for Brzustewicz, who went from the elation of being a third-round selection in the NHL Draft on Thursday in Nashville, to the reality of heightened expectations, it was an eye-opener.

“It was a great pace. Definitely a step above and you can tell that everyone wants job,” said Brzustewicz. “Everybody is here for a reason and they definitely showed it. My pace is good but everything can get better.

“One session can’t tell you everything, but I thought I did well. I’m ready for the test and whoever comes at me.”

Brzustewicz was projected as a second-round pick after a strong season with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League. He placed seventh among defenders with 57 points and sixth with 51 assists, and what already stands out is his resolve to make something of the Canucks opportunity after the draft.

“Obviously, you think about it and it’s stressful sitting there,” he said of waiting for his name to be called. “But I keep it in the back on mind everything happens for a reason. It doesn’t matter when you go, it’s where you go when a team believes in you.

“Everybody is on the same playing field here and I’m ready for it.”

Not that Brzustewicz expected it. He didn’t get any kind of feel from the NHL Combine to think that Vancouver might be a draft destination.

“There are interviews but sometimes you don’t get a good feel,” he admitted. “Honestly, I had no clue. I guess I passed. You need to build a culture and be a good guy in the room and also have the tools on the ice.”

Part of the progress is a game predicated on good puck movement, the ability to jump up and read the play, and quarterback the power play. Part of it is being a product of the renown U.S. National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Mich. that advanced his skills to take the next step.

And part of it is being driven to success by his young brother, Henry, who’s already putting up big numbers as a potential future high pick the 2025 NHL Draft.

As for his game, the puck movement is the older sibling’s ticket.

“That’s a big part of it and that can transition now,” he said. “There are some things I need to clean up on the defensive side with the mentality, but mainly shoot the puck and have that dog mentality.”

By that, we assume he means being hard on pucks and the opposition to stop his offensive forays and using his 6-foot, 190 pound frame to lean on people.

“I’m pretty smart with the reads and when to go and when not to,” he stressed.

Brzustewicz was also smart enough at a young age to put up stellar numbers — 111 points in triple-A, Under-15 in Michigan —that would attract USNTDP interest. The elite program has had a player drafted in the top five in five consecutive years.

This year, 13 players were selected, including four in the first round, led by Will Smith at No.4. And in the 2019 draft at Rogers Arena, Jack Hughes went first, Alex Turcotte fifth and seven were among the first 15 selections.

Brzustewicz grew up in Washington County, 45 minutes from Detroit, and to play for the USNTDP was like an aspiring actor getting to the big stage.

“Once you turn 13 or 14, you kind of realize if you have a real shot of making that team and when I did, it was pretty spectacular to honour your country and represent them,” he recalled. “Honestly, it’s the best time of your life.

“In some ways, you’ve got to be selfish about it and you’ve got to support your teammates and keep that in mind. I wouldn’t take anything back.

“It was good to open my eyes to see where I’m at and how hard everybody works every single day. If you take off one second, you are getting passed with how competitive it is.”

The same kind if drive and dedication played out on the home front.

Hunter and Henry Brzustewicz were like Quinn and Jack Hughes. Always in competition.

“It was anything,” laughed Hunter. “We’re so competitive against each other and we never wanted to lose. Whether it was basketball, Ping-Pong or wrestling, we were legit and betting on little stuff to just do around the house.

“Even now, he’s bigger than me and not quite there yet at my (competitive) level.But he’s getting there and you can definitely see it.”

What the older Brzustewicz saw growing up is what he wants to emulate some day. He marvelled at how Nicklas Lidstrom went from a Detroit Red Wings star to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

“Some guys I do play like are Adam Fox and John Klingberg and another guy I’d like to take something from is Radko Gudas — just watch him in the playoffs.”