
Jake DeBrusk
Birthday: 1996-10-17 | Position: LW |
Eligible for draft: 2015 | Shoots: Left |
Drafted: 2015 | Height: 6-0 |
Acquired: 1st round (14th overall), 2015 | Weight: 177 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- C
History
2010-11: Jake DeBrusk played bantam hockey in his hometown of Edmonton and was selected by the Swift Current Broncos in the seventh round (137th overall) in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft.
2011-12: DeBrusk skated in the Alberta Minor Midget AAA Hockey League for the SSAC United Cycle Bulldogs. He scored 13 goals with 20 assists and 24 penalty minutes in 26 regular season games as the Bulldogs finished fourth in the North Division. DeBrusk scored 2 goals with 4 assists and 10 penalty minutes in five playoff games.
2012-13: DeBrusk was the second-leading scorer in the Alberta Midget Hockey league behind SSAC Boston Pizza Athletics’ teammate Riley Simpson. He scored 25 goals with 27 assists and 26 penalty minutes in 26 regular season games as the Athletics finished first in the AMHL Dodge Division and had the league’s top three scorers. DeBrusk scored 7 goals with 2 assists and 10 penalty minutes in 14 playoff games. The Athletics reached the AMHL Finals, falling to Chrysler Division champion Red Deer Optimist Chiefs.
2013-14: DeBrusk skated in all 72 regular season games for the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos as a 17-year-old. He scored 15 goals with 24 assists and was +8 with 21 penalty minutes. Swift Current finished second in the East Division, falling to Medicine Hat in a first-round playoff series. DeBrusk scored 3 goals with 1 assist and was +1 with no penalties in six playoff games.
2014-15: DeBrusk was the leading scorer for Swift Current in his second WHL season, finishing with a flourish to help the Broncos gain a playoff spot. He scored 42 goals with 39 assists and was -9 with 40 penalty minutes in 72 regular season games. The Broncos finished third in the East Division and were swept by second-place Regina in a first-round series. DeBrusk was -4 with no points and 10 penalty minutes in three playoff games, missing the final game of the series after suffering a concussion after an illegal hit by the Pats’ James Hilsendager late in Game 3. DeBrusk skated for Team Cherry in the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. He was ranked 19th amongst North American skaters in the Central Scouting final rankings and was selected by Boston in the first round (14th overall) in the 2015 NHL Draft.
Talent Analysis
DeBrusk was a consistent scoring threat all season long. His value to the Broncos became glaringly apparent when he was injured in the post-season and missed the last four periods of a first round sweep against the Regina Pats. DeBrusk can compete physically across the WHL, skates very well and knows how to find scoring areas in the attacking zone. Perhaps the most pure goal scorer among the WHL’s draft-eligible forwards in 2015.
Future
DeBrusk returned to Swift Current for his third WHL season in 2015-16 following his first NHL training camp with Boston. Obtained by Memorial Cup host Red Deer at the trading deadline, he continues to score at a point-per-game pace with the Rebels. DeBrusk can play tough the way his father former Edmonton Oiler Louie DeBrusk did. The younger DeBrusk is a much better skater and more talented offensively. He has a legitimate chance to make the Bruins out of training camp in 2016-17.