The Hunter.

Yes it’s likely an overreaction, but I am STOKED with this pick.

Can’t say I’ve seen him play much, but I have read and heard a lot about him – and there is certainly a lot to like!

As with every draft, I like to go back and look at what people were saying about our prospects in the years and months leading up to the draft. Here’s some excerpts about our new Hunter:

“Brzustewicz was a star in minor hockey growing up….. is a mobile and strong kid who has worked hard to fill out his frame, defends the rush effectively and has significantly more offence to his game than his production at the program (where players like Seamus Casey and Lane Hutson have been awarded greater opportunities offensively) shows this season. He walks the line well, is comfortable in control of the puck in all three zones, and will take and execute on what’s given to him. He plays and reads the game very tactically — one of those players who makes the right calls with the puck pretty much whenever he has it. He projects as an effective No. 3-5 defenceman at the next level.” **- Scott Wheeler, Nov 2022**

**”**Brzustewicz is one of my favourite prospects from the OHL this season, and in this entire class. He’s the perfect blend of skill and strength. He’s got a relatively small frame but makes up for it in muscle. One of the more impressive aspects of his game is his ability to use his upper body strength to shake off his opponent, freeing up lanes to break out the puck. Of all the defenceman on this list, I think Brzustewicz consistently makes the best first pass out of the zone. His quick stick on defence and ability to defend the rush make him a very competent two-way defender. His offensive ability has peaked this season as well. After leaving the USNTDP, where Seamus Casey and Lane Hutson took most of the opportunity offensively last season, he has done a good job quarterbacking a top power play and chipping in at even strength as well. I see Brzustewicz as a middle pair guy, that could play all situations, similar to the mould of Neal Pionk. (Ben Jordan) ” **- Smaht Scouting, Nov 2022**

“Brzustewicz is a dangerous player with the puck on his stick. He has great offensive sense and patience with the puck. Brzustewicz makes a lot of difficult plays through seams. He has the ability to hold pucks, let lanes develop and enough skill to execute when they do. He’s a strong skater who can transport pucks up ice and with his offensive touch he can walk the line well to create chances. Defensively Brzustewicz is OK. His skating helps him make some stops, but he’s not an overly physical player. There’s enough to him to play games, but unless his offense is just tremendous, he may not be good enough of an all-around guy to be a legit NHL minutes defender.” **- Corey Pronman, May 2023**

“Every year, there are a couple of players who spend all season ranked in the early-to-mid second round, even though they’re probably a first-round talent. I believe that Hunter Brzustewicz is one of those players. Watching Brzustewicz play, he reminds me a lot of a watered-down version of Colorado Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar. Now, whoever drafts him should not assume they just drafted a clone of Makar, given the number of accolades he has, but when you watch the way Brzustewicz patrols the blueline on the power play, there are some striking similarities in their edgework and the way they’re able to open up space for themselves when their team is running the cycle in the offensive zone. He doesn’t really have one offensive quality that sticks out, but he’s reliable at both ends of the ice and plays the type of mature game that teams look for outside of the first round. ” **- The Hockey Writers, March 2023** [https://thehockeywriters.com/hunter-brzustewicz-2023-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/](https://thehockeywriters.com/hunter-brzustewicz-2023-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/)

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by Turkish_Canuck