Heading into the NHL Entry Draft, the Boston Bruins were slated to draft 14th overall. Instead, they added two additional picks courtesy of draft day departures, which led to draft pick capital. That capital wasn’t spent, and with Boston’s 14th pick, they drafted left winger Jake DeBrusk.
DeBrusk has played the last two seasons with the Swift Current Broncos in the Western Hockey League. At 6-feet, 174 lb, the winger includes size as an advantage. The left-shot 18-year-old was thought of highly by pundits and scouts alike, while general manager Don Sweeney also considered the winger a potential valued commodity with this organization.
TSN Director of Scouting Craig Button projected DeBrusk to fall to 27th overall with Anaheim. The Bruins were intrigued enough by DeBrusk’s scoring abilities and hard-nose, tough approach to the game to pick him with their second pick. Button rated DeBrusk with a 3/5 in skating, 5/5 in smarts, and 4/5 in hands, shot, and compete level.
The former Bronco has the making of a No. 2 winger in the NHL down the road. He works his way into plays and produces when given the opportunity. DeBrusk can be a play-maker and goal-scorer simultaneously. His skill-level continues to soar. He plays the game similarly to Tampa Bay’s Ondrej Palat.
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In his past two seasons with Swift Current, DeBrusk played in 72 games each season. Last season was a productive one for DeBrusk, one that helped display his abilities to GM’s across the league. He scored 42 goals and added 39 assists for 81 points. He also served 40 PIM.
Last season, DeBrusk was tied for sixth in the WHL for scoring. He also paced the team, leading in points. Back in 2012-13, DeBrusk played for the SSAC Athletics in the Alberta Midget Hockey League, having an impressive season there as well, posting 52 points (25-27—52). In 34 games that season, DeBrusk was named to the League’s First All-Star Team.
NHL scouts had a lot to like about DeBrusk. He can mesh against defenders down low. He scores 40 goals. His work ethic is sound. There’s simply a tremendous amount of upside to a player of DeBrusk’s caliber, and NHL Central Scouting’s Peter Sullivan was cognizant. “His work ethic is off the charts but what also helps are those 42 goals he scored”, Sullivan said. “He’s a 40-goal scorer who does the dirty work in front of the net. His greatest strength is his compete level”.
DeBrusk will undoubtedly take some time to mature before he is NHL ready. In two to three years, DeBrusk will likely be vying for a varsity position with the Bruins. The winger has the potential of battling for a bottom-six pairing in a matter of time. His skill set is there, but will take more coaching and practice to make this 18-year-old NHL ready. The winger went from 15 goals with his WHL squad in the 2013-14 season to 42 goals this year. That’s a drastic turn of goal scoring in just one year. It’s important to watch DeBrusk’s scoring production next season, too. Scoring 40 goals is a feat, but continuously posting similar numbers is a feat in itself.
The prospect is prepared to grow into his NHL skates with this organization. He’s motivated to improve. Motivated to become NHL ready and earn a spot on this team in several years. DeBrusk was an advantageous pick by Sweeney and company. It’s now up to DeBrusk to prove it.
“I’m going to push for this year,” DeBrusk said. “I’m going to try to do anything I can to make the team this year. The safe play or my main goal, my timeline is two to three years. In two or three years, I’ll be a player that not only makes the team but will make a contribution.”