The Calgary Flames sold house on pretty much their entire defence corps last season. The only two that remain are Rasmus Andersson and MacKenzie Weegar. As we continue to take a look at how the Flames’ prospects are performing and developing, a positive is that their defensive pipeline looks pretty damn good. There is lots of up and coming talent on the back end for the Flames and one of those players is Hunter Brzustewicz.
Brzustewicz is an American-born, right-handed shot defenceman who was drafted in the third round by the Vancouver Canucks in 2023. The Flames acquired him as part of a deal that sent Elias Lindholm to the Canucks last season. Brzustewicz is similar to Zayne Parekh in the sense that his strongest attributes are his shiftiness, deception, ability to create space, and move the puck up the ice. If you need someone who can connect on stretch passes in transition, Brzustewicz is your guy.
Brzustewicz was ranked third in our prospect rankings during the summer of 2024, the second highest defensive prospect, only behind Parekh.
Last season
The 2023-24 season was Brzustewicz’s final year in the OHL. He spent a total of two years in the league playing with the Kitchener Rangers. This was the season right after he was drafted and what he was able to accomplish was not only massive, but he put himself on the map. Canucks fans were ecstatic keeping on eye on the noise Brzustewicz was making with the Rangers and ultimately he showed enough that Flames general manager Craig Conroy wanted him as part of the return for Lindholm. Brzustewicz played 67 games last season and finished with 13 goals and 92 points, leaving him with 79 assists on the season. His 79 assists were the most by any player in the OHL last season, forward or defenceman.
Brzustewicz finished with the second most points among OHL blueliners, behind only Parekh. Remember that Parekh was drafted ninth overall while Brzustewicz was drafted in the third round. Most importantly the Flames have both of these guys who should have a pretty good shot at making the roster next season and elevating the blue line with their offensive repertoires.
This season
Brzustewicz is playing in his first season in the AHL with the Wranglers but things have changed a little bit. It’s a new environment for Brzustewicz and a more skilled one in the AHL. Offensive production hasn’t come at the same level for Brzustewicz through 48 games played as he has just three goals and 19 points.
While the offensive production isn’t there right now, he has been a solid defensive presence for the Wranglers this season. Known for his offensive talent, Brzustewicz has become more responsible and reliable in the defensive zone and has played a crucial role for the Wranglers on the penalty kill.
As Brzustewicz gets more comfortable and adjusted to the AHL, the offensive production will come. With him showing steady growth in other areas and expanding in ways he can bring value to a team, when the offence does show up, he’s going to be more complete of a player.
Whether Brzustewicz ends up needing one or two more seasons in the AHL, it’s important to remember that it takes longer for defenceman to make the jump to the NHL. That position requires more responsibility and if they are aren’t up to speed they can become liabilities pretty quickly. Right now what’s important is that Brzustewicz is showing growth and finding other ways to contribute to the Wranglers while the offensive production is a little bit slow.
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